Jacqueline Sly was a teacher for 37 years. She received her B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Northern State University and her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Black Hills State University. Her teaching career included special education, elementary, middle school and alternative education. Sly taught throughout South Dakota.

Sly served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2008-2016. She served on the South Dakota Board of Education Standards from 2018-2022. Sly currently volunteers her service on numerous non-profit boards and councils including Abbott House, Black Hills Works, West River Mental Health, Honored Women Educators of SD, SD Retired School Personnel, BH Retired School Personnel, Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Spirit of Dakota Award.

She lives near Rapid City and is married to Burton Sly. They enjoy their 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. Together they spend some time each year traveling to visit family and to explore the variety of scenic places throughout the United States.