Julie Joseph (Wayzata School Board At-large, Minnesota, candidate 2025)

Julie Joseph

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Wayzata School Board At-large

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Osmania University

Personal

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Business executive

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Julie Joseph is running for election to the Wayzata School Board At-large in Minnesota. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Joseph completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Julie Joseph provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 6, 2025:

• Bachelor's: Osmania University
• Graduate: Loyola Institute of Business Administration
• Gender: Female
• Religion: Catholic
• Profession: Business Executive
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Strong Schools, Strong Future
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign Instagram
• Campaign YouTube video

Elections

General election

The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.

General election for Wayzata School Board At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates are running in the general election for Wayzata School Board At-large on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Laura Conway (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Julie Joseph (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Heidi Kader (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Kate Knight (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Alicia Liddle (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Milind Sohoni (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Joseph received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Joseph's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

• Osseo Area School Board Memb. Keith Tate (Nonpartisan)
• Everytown for Gun Safety
• Minnesota Tamil Sangam
• Plymouth DEI
• Progressive Plymouth Moms
• Wayzata Education Association
• Women Winning

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Julie Joseph completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Joseph's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a proud Wayzata mom of two Trojan boys, and for 14 years my husband and I have called Plymouth home. Like many parents, I balance family life with community involvement, guided by the belief that strong schools are the heart of strong communities and a strong future.

Professionally, I bring more than 15 years of leadership experience across startups and a Fortune 50 company—managing budgets, leading cross-functional teams, and building inclusive, high-performing cultures. I know how to unite people around shared goals and make data-driven, fiscally responsible decisions.

In our schools, I have stayed close to students and families—serving as a class parent, volunteering with Youth in Government and Model UN, and judging DECA competitions at the school and state level. Beyond the classroom, I have taught and volunteered for more than a decade at St. Joseph the Worker and served the homeless through 3000 Acts of Kindness.

Education is deeply personal for me. My mother was a science teacher, and my father tutored students after long workdays because he believed every child deserves a chance to succeed. My own teachers transformed my life, just as Wayzata teachers continue to inspire my sons.

I am running to be a bridge between parents, educators, and policy—bringing innovation, accountability, and a parent’s heart to ensure every student thrives, every teacher feels valued, and every community voice is heard.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Students First I am committed to putting students at the heart of every decision. That means protecting their safety, nurturing their well-being, and ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to grow into confident learners and leaders. From academics to mental health, every child deserves support to thrive. As a mom, I know how much it matters to see our kids safe, encouraged, and challenged. My focus will always be to create schools where every student feels valued, inspired, and prepared for the future.
• Support & Empower Teachers Teachers are the backbone of our schools, and when they thrive, students thrive. I will work to ensure teachers feel respected, supported, and equipped with the tools they need to inspire learning in every classroom. That includes advocating for manageable workloads, meaningful professional development, and open communication between teachers and the board. By empowering teachers, we build stronger classrooms and communities. Supporting those who guide our children is one of the most important investments we can make.
• Equity, Community, & Stewardship I believe every child deserves fair access to opportunities that unlock their potential, no matter their background. That means advancing equity in programs, fostering inclusion, and creating pathways for all students to succeed. It also means strengthening school-family partnerships by listening to parents and being transparent in decisions. As a leader, I will practice responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars—balancing fiscal accountability with investments in what matters most. My goal is to build trust, unity, and excellence across our community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about public education policy, because I’ve seen firsthand how it transforms lives—through my own public school teachers, my parents’ dedication to helping students, and now the impact of Wayzata teachers on my sons. Education is where opportunity begins, and I believe policy must ensure schools are safe, supportive, and centered on he

I believe in policies that support each student to unlock their full potential by ensuring fair access to advanced learning, enrichment opportunities, and mental health resources.

I am also committed to fiscal transparency and stewardship, making thoughtful, accountable decisions that prioritize students and teachers while earning the trust of our community.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

For me, the most important qualities in an elected official are integrity, accountability, and a commitment to serve others before self. In the role of school board member, that means championing the well-being and success of students and teachers above all else, making thoughtful decisions rooted in transparency, and always keeping the trust of the community at the center.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

As a Wayzata School Board member, the core responsibilities are to set district policy and oversee the budget, curriculum, personnel, and facilities with the goal of serving every student well. It is a role of stewardship—making thoughtful, accountable decisions about how resources are invested and ensuring that the district’s vision reflects both academic excellence and student well-being.
At the same time, it is a role of representation. Families trust us to listen to parents, teachers, and students, to lead with transparency and integrity, and to hold the district accountable to its goals. Ultimately, we are responsible to the community that elects us, but most importantly to the children whose futures are shaped every day in our classrooms.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Brain by Robin Cook. I love medical fiction.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

In my view, the primary job of a school board member is to keep students at the heart of every decision.

While the board manages policy and resources, I believe its greater purpose is to create schools that are safe, supportive, and full of opportunities to learn and grow.
For me, that means listening to families and teachers, balancing academic rigor with enrichment opportunities and student well-being, and ensuring classrooms are places where both kids and educators can thrive.

Most importantly, it means preparing students to graduate not only with knowledge, but with the confidence, curiosity, and character to be well-rounded citizens ready to face the evolving world. Students first, prepared for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities!!

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

Supporting the diverse needs of students, staff, and families begins with listening and responding with equity in mind.

For students, that means ensuring every child has access to the resources, enrichment, and support they need to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.
For teachers and staff, it means creating a culture where they feel respected, valued, and equipped to serve a wide range of learners.
For families and the broader community, it means fostering open communication, transparency, and meaningful engagement so all voices are heard.

I believe diversity is a strength, and by embracing it intentionally, we prepare students to succeed in a global, evolving world while building a school community rooted in belonging and mutual respect.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I will build trust by being visible and accessible beyond board meetings—through listening sessions, student roundtables, coffee chats, and simple digital tools for busy families. I will actively engage students through councils and clubs; parents through PTOs and advisory groups; teachers and staff across roles; and community partners including cultural associations, faith groups, local businesses, and civic organizations. By meeting people where they are, we can ensure district decisions reflect the full diversity of Wayzata.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

Good teaching goes beyond delivering content. It inspires curiosity, builds confidence, and meets the diverse needs of students. It creates classrooms where students feel safe, engaged, and challenged, while balancing academic rigor with enrichment and social-emotional support.

I would measure good teaching by looking at multiple factors: student growth and engagement, feedback from students and parents, collaboration among peers, and professional self-reflection. Test scores matter, but they are only one piece of the bigger picture.

To support advanced teaching approaches, I believe in investing in professional development, mentoring, and access to innovative tools and resources. Just as importantly, teachers need the space and trust to try new strategies, share best practices, and adapt to what works for their students. When teachers feel valued and empowered, they can bring creativity and excellence to the classroom.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Wayzata Education Association, Plymouth DEI, Progressive Plymouth Moms

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

My ideal learning environment is safe, supportive, and inspiring—where students feel they belong and can reach their full potential.

It combines academic rigor with enrichment so children grow as well-rounded individuals.

An environment where teachers are valued and equipped, equity guides opportunities, and families are true partners in preparing students to face the evolving world.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

Parents are true partners in their children’s education, and I want them to feel heard, respected, and included.

I will build strong relationships by being accessible and transparent, whether through coffee chats, school visits, or easy-to-use channels for sharing feedback.

As a parent myself, I believe listening to parents—celebrating their perspectives and addressing their concerns—is essential to shaping schools where all children thrive.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

My approach to recruiting faculty, staff, and administrators is to make Wayzata a destination workplace.

Competitive pay and benefits matter, but so do growth opportunities, mentorship, and balance.
From my 15+ years in corporate leadership, I know strong recruitment starts with building diverse pipelines and creating inclusive teams where people feel valued.

Partnering with universities, teacher prep programs, and professional networks will expand our reach, while strong onboarding and ongoing support will help us retain the talent we work hard to recruit.

Are there any areas of school curriculum you would like to see changed?

Curriculum should evolve to prepare students for success in school and in life. Along with strong core academics, I believe we should place more emphasis on mental health education, digital safety and literacy, career readiness, and global awareness. Expanding enrichment through arts, STEM, leadership, and sports gives students opportunities to discover their passions, build teamwork and resilience, and grow as well-rounded individuals. Any changes should be guided by teacher expertise, community input, and a commitment to equity so every child has access to the opportunities they need to thrive.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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