Denise Juneau for State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Background:

• Grew up in Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation
• Received a B.A. in English from Montana State University, Bozeman
• Received a Masters in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Received a J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law
• Taught High School English
• Was a Judicial Law Clerk for the Montana State Supreme Court
• Currently the Director of Indian Education, Office of Public Instruction

Goals:

I decided to run for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction because I believe that I can help Montana's schools achieve educational goals and be even greater. Strong schools can create educational opportunities for Montana students to be highly competitive in the global economy. I also believe that the state must support teachers in their ongoing growth as professionals and that more can be done to elevate the teaching profession to the level it deserves. Although we must continue to implement the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act, we must also work together to ensure that Montana’s ideals of a quality education are included in statewide policy.

Issues:

1. To create educational opportunities for ALL Montana students to be highly competitive in the global economy.
2. To support Montana's talented teachers and their ongoing growth as professionals.
3. To put "Montana" back into our schools by focusing on classroom learning that is tied to Montana's ideals of quality education.

Grassroots Support:

During the Primary, a four-way Democratic race, grassroots organizing was the single biggest factor to my win. Voter turnout will continue to be a priority in the General Election. Voter turnout amongst young voters and American Indians is especially low in Montana. During the campaign, I am focusing on voter registration and building community leaders with these two groups.

DFA Values:

It is the Superintendent’s responsibility to defend the sanctity of public education and the hope it offers to individuals, communities, and our state. I know that funding in education matters. It matters to both large and small communities. It matters to teachers who put their lifeblood into educating those who will become our state’s future. Above all, it matters to the students in our schools. Money does matter in education. We need to pull together to make sure that teachers are competitively compensated. We need to pull together to make sure all of our students are offered quality programs and rigorous coursework. We need to pull together to guarantee the economic and social future of Montana. I pledge that increased funding for education will be a top issue of my campaign and my administration when elected. Montana’s students deserve that protection, support, and advocacy. Education is truly the only way we will accomplish our state’s hopes and dreams.

I am committed to put in the demanding advocacy work with the Governor and the Legislature to ensure that every school in our state receives adequate funding for a quality education. I worked with Montana’s legislative process under the last two Superintendents and know first-hand the hard work that must happen during the legislative sessions.