Boise educator and Idaho Democratic Rep. Soñia Galaviz will begin a new role with the West Ada School District this summer as a multilingual learner consultant.

Galaviz is leaving the Boise School District, where she earned numerous honors, including the National Education Association Foundation’s top prize for teaching excellence in 2017.

Galaviz began teaching in 2002, was elected to the Idaho House in 2022 and serves on the House Education Committee. Before entering politics, she built a reputation as a dedicated educator who made home visits to connect with students’ families. Daryl Gerber, her principal at Garfield Elementary in 2015, called her “phenomenal.”

In her West Ada role, Galaviz will oversee multilingual learning and assist teachers whose students speak more languages than just English.

“I’m glad to be able to serve Idaho in more than one way,” Galaviz said. “West Ada hired me for my qualifications and my experience with working with ML students.”

Galaviz said she reached out to West Ada Superintendent Derek Bub and told him a job in the state’s largest district would appeal to her.

“I’ve worked in several different districts in my career, and I was born and raised in rural Idaho, right in the Panhandle,” she said. “But the one thing that is consistent, is serving and advocating and doing everything you can to teach kids is the same across the state.”

During this year’s legislative session, Galaviz opposed House Bill 634, which would’ve removed some spending flexibility for school districts. In 2025, she opposed the controversial flag and banner bill for its sweeping control over how teachers can decorate their classrooms. West Ada last year approved a policy that aligns with the new law, requiring classroom displays be “content neutral and conducive to a positive learning environment.” The Boise School District has been more lenient with classroom displays.

West Ada trustees recently voted to leave the Idaho School Boards Association, with Bub saying the organization pushed for legislation West Ada wouldn’t support.

“West Ada didn’t hire me for my politics. They hired me because of my experience and my qualifications teaching kids,” Galaviz said.

Galaviz will start in her new role at West Ada on July 30. She currently represents District 16 in the House, but is running to fill the Senate seat left by Sen. Ali Rabe, D-Boise, who announced in February she will not seek reelection.