Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

From being president of her 4th grade 4-H Club to her 2004 election as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, June has worked with thousands of teachers, students, school leaders, and business people.  Her journey in education started with her own at a small rural public school. 

She knows what it is like to stretch a dollar to meet educational goals.  She worked her way through college to get three degrees—a doctorate from North Carolina State University in educational leadership and policy, a master’s in vocational-technical education from Virginia Tech, and a bachelor’s in business education from Radford University.

June’s commitment to education started with her being a public school teacher in Roanoke, Virginia and then at Myers Park High School in Charlotte.  She has worked in educational administration and is currently serving as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a position she has held since 2005. 

June is an author of two textbooks and one children’s book.  She has served as president of two national education associations and has received over ten national or state awards for educational leadership, service, and innovation.  Some of these awards include:  Women of Achievement Award, General Federation of Women’s Clubs; Distinguished Alumna Award, NC State University College of Education;  Inclusive Leadership Award, North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), and Friends of Education Award, North Carolina Association of Supervision and Curriculum (NCASCD).

During her tenure in education, June has traveled to all 115 school districts, and she knows the challenges that each district faces.  She has spoken in 43 states to education and business groups.

She is married to Dr. William Gurley, a Cary orthodontist and a former assistant professor at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry.  She is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Cary.

Imagine the day that when you cross North Carolina county lines and see a sign, “100 percent of our students graduate from high school.”  Imagine the day when no student is embarrassed to read in public because they have poor reading skills.  Imagine the day, when teachers will not need second jobs to “make ends meet.”  Imagine the day when a student’s address does not determine access to engaging technology.  Imagine the day when North Carolina is recognized as having the best public education system in the world. 

While North Carolina has made tremendous progress in public education, June knows that much is left to do.  When June has spoken at high school graduation ceremonies, she has heard family members cheer as a principal hands a high school diploma to each of the graduates.  She knows, however, that some of our children are not graduating and lack preparation for the 21st century.

June will continue working tirelessly with legislators, State Board of Education, parents, educators, businesses, and many other partners to improve public education.  She will continue to bring to the attention of all North Carolinians that we must all work together to reform our high schools, reduce our drop-out rate,  and make sure that all students can read well.  She will support salary increases and better working conditions for every teacher.  After all, the classroom teacher is the “key” to student achievement.  

With June’s experience, commitment, and vision, and willingness to develop partnerships, North Carolina won’t have to imagine being great in public education.  It can become a reality.

June is the right choice in May and November.