Denise Juneau

Denise Juneau was born on April 5, 1967, in Oakland, California, to parents Stan and Carol Juneau.[1] Her family moved to Montana in 1969. Juneau graduated in 1985 from Browning High School in Browning, Montana, which is on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.[1]

Juneau received a bachelor's degree in English from Montana State University in 1993. In 1994, she completed her Master of Education Degree at Harvard Graduate School of Education. She took course work toward a doctorate at the University of New Mexico in 1997 and 1998. Juneau shifted her career path, attending the University of Montana Law School and completing her J.D. in 2004.[1]

Juneau worked on the educational support staff of Browning, Montana schools from 1986 through 1988. She was a high school teacher in New Town, North Dakota, within the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, from 1994 through 1995, and in Browning, Montana, from 1995 through 1997.[1]

Juneau was an instructional specialist at the Montana Office of Public Instruction under Superintendent Nancy Keenan from 1998 through 2001. While at the Montana Office of Public Instruction, Juneau served as Director of Indian Education, where she oversaw the implementation of Montana's constitutionally mandated Indian Education For All program. It was designed to deliver education in the public schools on Montana's American Indian heritage.[9][10]

Juneau was a law clerk at the Montana Supreme Court for justices Jim Regnier and Brian Morris from 2004 through 2005. She worked as an associate attorney for the law firm Monteau and Peebles from 2005 to 2006. From 2006 through 2008, she was a division administrator at the Office of Public Instruction under Superintendent Linda McCulloch.[1] In 2009, Juneau was named Educator of the Year by the National Indian Education Association.[4][6]

In 2008, Juneau ran for Superintendent of Public Instruction. She won a four-way Democratic primary in June.[11] In the November general election, the final vote tally was 234,483 for Juneau (51%), 201,091 (43.7%) for her GOP opponent, Elaine Sollie Herman, and 24,236 (5.3%) for Libertarian candidate Donald Eisenmenger.[12] She was the first American Indian woman to win a statewide office.[13]

In 2012, Juneau ran for re-election against Republican Sandy Welch. Juneau was narrowly re-elected, receiving 235,397 votes to Welch's 233,166 votes.[14] Due to term limits, Juneau was ineligible to run again in 2016.[15]

Juneau was named as a possible candidate for US Senator Max Baucus's (D-Montana) seat, which was vacated upon his retirement in 2014. On August 5, 2013, she announced that she would not run for the Senate.[16]

On November 4, 2015, Juneau announced her candidacy for Montana's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.[17] As of November 1, 2016, she ranked 6th in the country for congressional candidates raising money from donors giving $200 or less.[18] Juneau was defeated by incumbent Republican Representative Ryan Zinke in the general election. Juneau won 40% of the vote.[19]

Since Juneau took office in 2009, she reported that Montana's graduation rate increased 4.7 percent, while the dropout rate decreased 1.3 percent since the state had started tracking these numbers in 2000.[20] Juneau oversaw the development of Montana's "Schools of Promise Initiative", an $11.5 million, three-year project which used federal grant money "to help teachers' union leaders, school board officials, and administrators attempt to address students' academic and social-emotional needs in some of the state's most disadvantaged schools." The academic results of that program have been mixed.[21][22]

Juneau gave a speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in which she praised U.S. President Barack Obama's education policy.[22]

In 2015, Juneau was awarded the Alumni Council Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.[23] She also received the National Education Association's 2015 Leo Reano Memorial Award.[24]

In April 2018, Seattle Public Schools board unanimously voted to elect Denise Juneau as the next superintendent of Seattle Public Schools. She began on July 1, 2018.[8]

In September 2018, Juneau created in partnership with diverse communities, a Listening & Learning Tour,[25] consisting of 21 community meetings, 22 staff sessions, seven regional town halls, as well as online engagement and solicited input from over 2,500 stakeholders including students. This data informed development of the district’s bold strategic plan, Seattle Excellence. Developed in partnership with community representatives “Seattle Excellence[26],” SPS five-year strategic plan (adopted by SPS Board of Directors, May 2019), that is unapologetically centered on supporting students of color who are furthest from educational justice, beginning with focus on African American boys and teens.

• Prioritized thirteen elementary schools with a high percentage of African American male students in support of our 3^rd grade reading goal. Schools have received enhanced professional development, coaching, and resources. Launched the Seattle Super Reader Campaign in partnership with Seattle Public Library and other community organizations. Have distributed over 62,000 books for student home libraries with a prioritized focus on the 13 schools. Created “Black Boy Joy” reading lists for students and families in partnership with SPL.

Remote Learning

Juneau has developed myriad of resources for remote learning since 2018, including:

• Developed 618 standards-aligned, teacher-generated learning videos to supplement instruction in subject areas including English Language Arts, Math, Science, Physical Education, Visual & Performing Arts, and Native Education. Broadcast on SPSTV, YouTube, KOMO4 News, and SPS social media channels. On the first day, 14,300 students engaged in learning, primarily K – 3. Videos have been viewed over 308,000 times and were supported with learning packets distributed to meal sites across the city. Families and students of color reported higher use of these resources.
• Developed and distributed over 105,000 aligned learning packets to all 26 food distribution sites and across 50 affordable housing partners, childcare sites, and community organizations.
• Created a comprehensive Playbook for Remote Learning including safety & health, priority standards, technology supports, communication supports for schools. This was a cross-organizational effort.

In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and with Washington state's schools closed, she announced that Seattle Public Schools would not transition to online learning, for equity reasons. [27]

In 2020, Juneau provided a device for every student during remote learning. Collapsed a three-year project into 6 months. In addition, launched a “bring your own” program for about 10% of our schools.

• Lifted 8 family tech centers and a family tech lines, serving 3,000 families at the resource centers in 1.5 months.
• Distributed 3200 hotspots or internet codes to families to increase connectivity.
• Partnered with Amazon[28] to secure 8200 Chromebooks for our youngest learners when schools abruptly closed.
• Partnered with Alaska airlines[29] to get 12,000 ipads to Seattle from Boston in time for school.
• With public affairs created “how to” videos in the top 5 languages to support remote learning and engagement with learning platforms. The October average daily platform use is 95%.

Student and Community Engagement

In June of 2019, Denise Juneau abruptly terminated Seattle School's partnership with the Urban Native Education Alliance, a community-based organization serving Native American youth, a decision which was met with protest in the Native American community. [30] [31] [32]

In August 2019, Denise Juneau created the Office of African American Male Achievement (AAMA).[33] Seattle Public Schools is the first district in Washington state, and one of the few across the nation, to create an office that intentionally cultivates the cultural and academic strengths of African American male students while simultaneously addressing their needs. AAMA’s work focuses on four strategic areas: culture, conditions, competencies, and community connection. Juneau also launched the AAMA Student Leadership Council in February 2020. The AAMA managers conduct bi-weekly remote meetings and individual check-ins to ensure Black boys and teens continue to have a seat at the table when it comes to making decisions that affect their lives and education.

In October of 2020, the Seattle King County NAACP and NAACP Youth Council, along with other community organizations such as the Urban Native Education Alliance, publicly called for the termination of Juneau's contract, based on allegations of systemic racism, sexism, cronyism, disparate treatment and nepotism as it relates to the employment of African American employees and other people of color. [34] [35]

Denise Juneau launched a representative Student Advisory Committee to the Superintendent. Each High School is represented on the committee.

Diversity Inclusion

In alignment with Seattle Excellence goals the district increased hiring staff of color over the last three years. For the 2020-21 school year, SPS has surpassed its diversity hiring goal by an average of 10%.

• • Teachers of Color * 26% (2018-19); 27% (2019-20); 36% (2020-21)
  • School Leaders of Color * 35% (2018-19); 40% (2019-20); 54% (2020-21)
  • Central Office Leaders of Color * 36% (2019-20); 55% (2020-21)

Juneau has expanded Academy of Rising Educators[36] in support of increased staff diversity with an intentional focus on African-American male staff. Registered 125 people for the 2020-21 Academy of Rising Educators (ARE), an innovative “grow your own" program in partnership with Seattle Colleges. 89 of whom are people of color (71%). 32 of the participants in our educator pathways are AA Males (26%). Teach for Liberation series for all ARE candidates. This supports the culturally responsive and specific professional development for people of color and facilitated by people of color from within our community.

• Cross-credited 6 high school ethnic studies courses to provide opportunities for students to take these important classes for graduation.
• Next semester, SPS will launch a Black Studies course available to students across the city.
• Hosted a four-day Liberation Through Anti-Racist Education Institute held in August 2020 that served 500 educators. AAMA worked with the Department of Racial Equity Advancement to create an opportunity for Black boys and teens to use and share their brilliance directly with the SPS staff, educators, and community members who attended.
• The Office of AAMA collaboratively secured $1.8 million dollars from local philanthropies in service of AAMA's work to create policies, structures, and systems designed for Black male students' success.
• In collaboration with City of Seattle, creating Kingmakers of Seattle Extended model.[37] Kingmakers of Seattle is an elective facilitated sessions for Black male students, facilitated by Black male educators. The course curriculum emphasizes black history, cultural knowledge, positive self-identity, literacy and academic mentoring.
• Reduction of disproportionate discipline continues to be a focus of staff and the district. –
  • Reduction in discipline for African American boys from 28/100 students (2015-16) to 20/100 students (2018-19).
  • Reduction in suspensions in secondary Schools of Promise (Sept. 2019-March 2020) – 161 reduced to 133; 116 reduced to 69 (African American students receiving special education services)
  • Reduction in discipline rate for African American students with IEPs (Individual Educational Program) – 17.1% (2015-16) to 8.0% (2018-19)

Budgeting and Educator Support

Denise Juneau ran a successful levy campaign despite uncertainty in state budget and a very challenging opposition from the Seattle Times. Passed the Building Excellence capital levy (BEX V) and Operations Levy.

On behalf of the board, Juneau led a task force to advise about a Student and Community Workforce Agreement. Staff negotiated the subsequent agreement with construction trades unions; this agreement will allow the district to leverage its capital investments to provide construction career opportunities to students and communities of color.

Managed a large capital projects portfolio on time and within budget. Modernized and re-opened the historically landmarked Lincoln High School, the district’s first newly opened comprehensive high school in decades. Reopened Bagley and this winter will open Webster. Construction has continued despite the pandemic.

Juneau has negotiated strong, teacher-student centered contracts with our labor partner Seattle Education Association. Successfully negotiated a 1-year contract with SEA after “full state funding” of public education and reduction of local levy funding; this was followed by negotiation of a successful 3-year contract and “reopening of the contract” and development of two MOAs during school closures. Throughout all negotiations students, racial equity, and fiscal responsibility centered the district’s response and contract outcomes. In addition, she's restructured HR to address misconduct, improve investigations, and ensure high-quality educators are in our classrooms. Strong commitment to transparency and safety of students.

Early Learning

Under her tenure, SPS has expanded Preschool programs at West Seattle, Olympic Hills, Emerson, John Muir, and Licton Springs, including full day Head Start, SPP Plus, and the new Head Start Plus Inclusive classroom preschool program for student with IEPs

• Remote Jump Start: 66 out of 70 elementary and K-8 schools participating across the district; 4,000 ‘Welcome to Kindergarten’ Kits with school supplies and learning materials provided for incoming Kindergarten and rising PreK students.

In partnership with Public Affairs, Admissions launched an early entrance Kindergarten campaign and increased early enrollment by 400 students for 20-21; providing additional choice for families. This approach directly addresses concerns that families of color haven’t historically been supported in enrolling early and access to SPS supports including school choice.

Support Services for Students, Families

After receiving corrective action by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, SPS implemented special education transportation improvements, including the district’s snow response plan.[38] Most students are now provided a bus route or alternative transportation during inclement weather.  Rebuilt the relationship and renegotiated the contract with the district’s primary provider of student transportation, leading to improved service for 2019-20.  

Under Juneau's leadership, SPS updated school meal menus[39] to include more culturally specific foods and vegetarian options in response to student taste tests and community engagement. Over two business days, Juneau's team completely retooled Nutrition Services operations to support the citywide distribution of breakfast and lunch to students in a remote learning environment. As of November 2020, 25,000 meals are served each day to students. This is 5,000 more than when in school buildings per day. And in partnership with Fare Start, Amazon and the Backpack Brigade (coalition of community partners) the district is providing evening and weekend meals to SPS families in need.

In spring 2020, Denise Juneau partnered with community-based organization to provide childcare to over 7,000 students during school closures. This required extensive partnership with the city, funders, and partners.

Juneau is an enrolled member of the federally recognized Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes.[8] She also has Blackfeet ancestry.

She is openly gay and the first such candidate to run for federal office in Montana.[40] In November 2015, Juneau confirmed she had twice been arrested while a college student for driving under the influence.[41]

• Denise Juneau, candidate for U.S. House official website
• Denise Juneau at Ballotpedia