Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau was selected as the Educator of the Year and was honored at the 2009 NIEA Annual Convention Gala Banquet on Saturday, October 24, 2009 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.   NIEA has recognized Native leaders who have changed and improved the lives of schoolchildren and impacted the dialog concerning Native education issues, both locally and nationally since 1977.

"I am humbled and honored to receive this award," said Denise.  “To be nominated and honored by your peers is a huge privilege and one that I certainly did not achieve on my own,” Denise continued.  “I have had the good fortune to have both friends and family provide a strong base of support, learning, and encouragement that allows me to do the work I do,” Denise said.

Denise, a member of the Mandan and Hidatsa Tribes and a descendant of the Blackfeet Tribe, grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation, graduated from Browning High School, graduated from Montana State University, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and received her Law Degree from the University of Montana.   She taught English in North Dakota as well as in Browning High School.

Carmen Taylor, a former NIEA Educator of the Year, supported Denise’s nomination. She wrote, “   It is important for educators to have a strong base for their philosophy of education and personal vision to help guide and keep them focused on the important issues.  Denise’s strong educational preparation as an English teacher, her law degree, and her work experience will help her meet her vision for education in Montana. She does not forget to recognize and credit the preparation she received from teachers at Browning High School.”

Dr. Pease another NIEA Educator of the Year, wrote in her support of Denise, “Denise takes the role as chief educator beyond its traditional place, into the Montana community at-large, into the higher education community, into the tribal colleges and their communities.  Ms. Juneau holds a key membership in the Montana Board of Education, Governor’s Kindergarten to College Workgroup, leading the initiative for standards in all subjects at all grades, Indian Education for All, improved high school and college graduation rates, and HS students college readiness...She is a scholar and an activist who has devoted her entire career to our most precious tribal members, our children, and to the children of Montana.”