Susie Hedalen Sworn-In as New Superintendent of Public Instruction

HELENA, Mont. – Susie Hedalen was administered the oath of office today by Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court Cory Swanson, becoming Montana's new Superintendent for the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). The inauguration ceremony took place this morning on the front steps of the Montana State Capitol and also included Governor Greg Gianforte, Lt. Governor Kristen Juras, Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, and State Auditor Jim Brown.

"I want to thank the people of Montana for putting their trust in me to lead our state's education system into the future," Superintendent Hedalen said Monday. "As a lifelong Montana teacher and school administrator, it is truly an honor to lead the Office of Public Instruction. I look forward to hitting the ground running and working with the legislature, my fellow state officials, and local schools, families, and educators. Together, we will improve academic and career opportunities for students while providing strong customer service to schools and families."

Inauguration

Superintendent Susie Hedalen being sworn-in to office by Chief Justice Cory Swanson in front of the Montana State Capitol, Monday, January 6, 2025

Susie Hedalen was elected by Montana voters in the 2024 general election to a four-year term to lead the state's Office of Public Instruction, which, along with the Board of Public Education, oversees Montana's K-12 public school system.

In addition to leading OPI, Superintendent Hedalen will serve alongside her fellow statewide elected officials on the Montana Board of Land Commissioners, as a member of the State Library Commission, and as an ex-oficio member of the Board of Public Education and Board of Regents of Higher Education, as well as other boards and committees related to education.

Hedalen was brought up in Montana's public school system and graduated from Helena High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Montana State University-Bozeman along with a Certificate in Native American Studies.

She has spent nearly two decades as a teacher and administrator in the state's most rural class C schools up to the largest AA districts. Her experience also includes time as the Deputy Superintendent at the Montana Office of Public Instruction and as the Vice-Chair of the Montana Board of Public Education.