Ms. Bailly has served Boise School District students since 2007 and brings extensive experience in elementary education and instructional leadership to her new role. Most recently, she has served as assistant principal at Horizon Elementary School during the 2025–2026 school year, following several years as a Learning Coach at Taft Elementary, where she partnered with teachers to co-construct student learning goals and strengthen instructional practices that support student-centered learning and academic growth.

Throughout her career, Ms. Bailly has demonstrated a deep commitment to student-centered learning, working collaboratively with educators to implement strategies that help every student succeed. Her leadership as a learning coach included completing coaching cycles with 100 percent of certified staff over a two-and-a-half-year period, reflecting her dedication to continuous improvement and strong instructional support.

Ms. Bailly’s work also reflects a strong commitment to the District’s transition to standards-based reporting, ensuring families receive clear, meaningful information about student progress and supporting instructional practices that promote deeper learning. Her leadership aligns closely with the priorities outlined in the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan, including strengthening academic excellence, supporting student well-being, and preparing every student for success in college, career, and life.

In addition to her classroom and leadership experience, Ms. Bailly has served as a student teacher mentor and Liaison in Residence with Boise State University, helping support and develop future educators. She also served as an administration designee at Taft Elementary, contributing to schoolwide leadership efforts and supporting intervention systems that promote student success.

Ms. Bailly has been recognized for her contributions to education as Idaho’s LEP Educator of the Year (2009) and as the Lee Pesky Outstanding Educator of the Year (2022). She is also a Certified Poverty Coach, reflecting her commitment to creating inclusive learning environments where every student feels supported and valued.

Ms. Bailly holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Boise State University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Idaho.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Bailly on her new role. We are confident she will provide strong leadership at Mountain View Elementary School as she continues advancing student-centered learning and supporting the District’s shared vision of ensuring every student is prepared for success in college, career, and life.

For the past three years, Dr. Brendefur has served students as principal at Horizon Elementary School and from 2015-2023, she served as principal of Whittier Elementary where she provided strong instructional leadership in support of student-centered learning and helped advance the District’s commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvement. 

Dr. Brendefur brings 13 years of classroom teaching experience and 17 years of administrative leadership experience to her new role. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to ensuring that each and every student has opportunities to succeed academically and socially by providing the resources, support, and guidance needed for success. Her leadership reflects Boise School District’s vision of student-centered learning, including the continued implementation of standards-based reporting and alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan priorities focused on academic achievement, student well-being, and college, career, and life readiness.

In addition to her elementary leadership experience, Dr. Brendefur brings valuable secondary-level experience through her work as a high school teacher and by supporting district secondary programs and educators in her role as Federal Programs Consultant (2012-2015). Her collaborative approach and strong instructional background position her well to support Capital High School students and staff.

Dr. Brendefur is recognized as a thoughtful instructional leader who supports the work of Boise School District’s highly qualified educators and staff. Her leadership is informed by a multicultural framework that promotes inclusive school communities, strengthens relationships with families, and ensures equitable opportunities for all learners. She is committed to fostering environments where students and staff feel emotionally and physically safe, where decisions are guided by data, and where teachers are empowered as instructional leaders.

A fluent Spanish speaker, Dr. Brendefur has used her language skills to strengthen communication and expand opportunities for multilingual students and families, supporting stronger school–community partnerships across the District.

Dr. Brendefur earned a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature and Spanish from the University of California, Irvine; a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (Bilingual/ENL Education) and a Doctorate in Education (Curriculum and Instruction – Bilingual/ESL/Multicultural Education) from Boise State University; and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Idaho.

Boise School District looks forward to Dr. Brendefur’s continued leadership in the Capital High School community and her ongoing commitment to supporting students, staff, and families through a strong focus on student-centered learning and the District’s Strategic Plan.

Mr. Gil brings nearly twenty years of experience in education, including the past 13 years serving students in the Boise School District. He currently serves as Assistant Principal at Morley Nelson Elementary School, where he has supported students, staff, and families through a strong focus on instructional leadership, collaboration, and student-centered practices.

Throughout his career, Mr. Gil has served in a variety of instructional and leadership roles, including as a Dual Language Teacher at Whitney Elementary School, Administrative Designee, and Summer School Principal for Boise School District. In these roles, he helped support student learning, strengthen schoolwide systems, and build positive partnerships with families and staff. His experience also includes teaching multilingual learners at both the middle and high school levels in Utah and Idaho, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to serving diverse learners and supporting inclusive school communities.

Mr. Gil is widely recognized as a collaborative instructional leader who works effectively with educators, students, and families to create safe, engaging, and responsive learning environments. He believes strongly that each and every student can learn successfully when provided with the appropriate resources, guidance, and support, and he is deeply committed to advancing student-centered learning, supporting the implementation of standards-based reporting, and helping move forward the priorities outlined in the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan to prepare every student for success in college, career, and life.

During his time in Boise, Mr. Gil has also served on school leadership teams, coordinated technology initiatives, and supported schoolwide systems, including IEP and 504 processes as an Administrative Designee. He additionally served as Summer School Principal from 2019 to 2022, where he collaborated with staff and families to ensure strong program implementation and student support.

Mr. Gil earned his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Teaching from Brigham Young University, a Master of Education in School Leadership from the University of Utah, and an Executive Leadership Specialist degree from Boise State University.

Mr. Gil is passionate about creating positive, inclusive learning environments where students feel supported and empowered to reach their full potential. We are confident he will be an outstanding leader for the Maple Grove Elementary community and look forward to the positive impact he will make in this new role.

Boise School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Gravette as the District’s new Chief Information Technology Officer (CTO), effective July 1, 2026.

Mr. Gravette brings more than 25 years of experience partnering with educators, administrators, and state education leaders to expand access to learning and improve student outcomes across Idaho. Most recently, he has served as Director of Information and Technology for the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA), where his work focused on aligning technology systems to support teaching, learning, and student opportunity statewide.

Throughout his career, Mr. Gravette has demonstrated a strong commitment to student-centered learning, ensuring that technology serves instruction by removing barriers and expanding access for students. At IDLA, he helped scale statewide digital learning from approximately 2,000 to more than 55,000 student enrollments annually by designing systems that respond directly to instructional needs and student goals.

In his new role with the Boise School District, Mr. Gravette will support continued progress in standards-based reporting, instructional innovation, and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence to enhance classroom learning while protecting student privacy and maintaining public trust. His work will directly support implementation of the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan, strengthening systems that advance student-centered learning, support staff success, and help prepare every student for life beyond graduation. He also brings extensive experience supporting professional learning for certified and classified staff, helping ensure educators have the tools and confidence needed to support student success.

Mr. Gravette’s leadership approach reflects a belief that technology should be transparent, reliable, and centered on the needs of students and educators. He has emphasized throughout his career that the most effective technology solutions are those that empower teachers and reduce barriers to excellent teaching and learning.

This dedication to district-wide success is also reflected in his outside advisory roles. He has served on the board of the Idaho Education Technology Association for the past 11 years. During that time, he held the roles of President and Region Three President, and he currently serves as Treasurer. He also works to advance student readiness as a member of the Idaho Workforce Work-Based Learning Committee and the National Council of Innovative Technology Leaders. On a national level, Mr. Gravette serves on the 1EdTech K-12 Advisory Board and participates in their security, privacy, and AI working groups to help guide nationwide standards around the secure and ethical use of technology in education.

For the past year, Ms. Hopkins has served as STEP Principal and Medicaid Special Education Supervisor for the Boise School District. She brings a strong background in elementary education, special education, behavioral supports, and instructional leadership to her new role. Her work reflects a deep commitment to student-centered learning, strong support for standards-based reporting, and alignment with the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan to prepare students for college, career, and life.

Ms. Hopkins began her career in education as an elementary and special education teacher, building a strong foundation in classroom instruction, collaboration with families, and supporting the diverse academic and social-emotional needs of young learners. Her classroom experience continues to shape her leadership approach and commitment to supporting teachers and students at the elementary level.

Ms. Hopkins has also served as a Special Education Consulting Teacher in the Boise School District, partnering with educators to implement best practices in special education, support compliance, and strengthen positive behavioral interventions and supports. She has helped organize and manage curriculum across programs serving students from early childhood through secondary transition, demonstrating a strong understanding of how systems of support begin in the elementary years and grow with students over time.

Prior to joining the district in this role, Ms. Hopkins served as the Statewide Coordinator for Idaho SESTA (Special Education Support and Technical Assistance) from 2020 to 2023. In that position, she led the implementation of the Idaho Tiered Behavior Supports (ITBS) project. She provided training and technical assistance to school teams and special education directors across the state—work closely connected to the district’s continued implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.

In Summer 2024, Ms. Hopkins also served as the district’s Extended School Year (ESY) Administrator, coordinating planning and ensuring the successful and compliant delivery of services for eligible students and families.

Ms. Hopkins holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education (2015) and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership (2018). She is currently pursuing an Educational Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Boise State University, with expected completion in 2026. She has also contributed her leadership through service on the Broncos of the Last Decade (BOLD) Alumni Committee and the National PBIS State Leaders Committee, where she led the national funding workgroup.

Ms. Hopkins’ leadership reflects a clear commitment to supporting elementary learners, strengthening instructional practices, advancing standards-based reporting, and fostering collaborative school communities aligned with the district’s Strategic Plan. Her experience and passion for inclusive, student-centered systems will serve the Garfield Elem

Mrs. Lubiens brings 15 years of educational experience, including ten years in the Boise School District, and a strong background in instructional leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building that supports student success. She currently serves as a Student-Centered Learning Coach at Hillcrest Elementary School, where she partners with teachers to strengthen instructional practices, facilitate professional learning communities, and support implementation of learner-focused systems that promote clarity and continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

Throughout her time in the district, Mrs. Lubiens has served students as an elementary classroom teacher, ML co-teacher, Title I interventionist, and learning coach. In these roles, she has supported grade-level data teams, helped implement research-based instructional strategies, and collaborated with school leadership teams to analyze instructional trends and respond to student needs. Her work reflects a deep commitment to student-centered learning and strengthening instructional systems that ensure every student is supported in reaching their full potential.

Mrs. Lubiens holds a Masters degree in Teaching from Trevecca Nazarene University and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from NNU. She has completed principal internships at Hawthorne Elementary School and the Owyhee Early Learning Center, where she contributed to operational planning, master scheduling, and restorative approaches to student support—experiences that further prepared her for school leadership.

A strong advocate for collaboration and continuous improvement, Mrs. Lubiens has helped facilitate teacher learning cycles anchored in student evidence and supported teams in building collective efficacy through effective collaboration and clarity practices. Her leadership aligns closely with the district’s ongoing work to advance standards-based reporting and strengthen instructional alignment across classrooms.

As Assistant Principal at Morley Nelson Elementary School, Mrs. Lubiens will continue supporting the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan by promoting student-centered learning environments, strengthening collaborative professional culture, and ensuring systems are in place to support academic growth and well-being for every student.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Lubiens on her new role and continued leadership in support of Boise School District students, staff, and families.

With more than a decade of experience serving students in education, including the majority of her career in the Boise School District, Ms. Luna brings a strong background in instructional leadership, student-centered learning, and career and technical education support to her new role. She currently serves as a Student-Centered Learning Coach at DTEC, where she partners with educators to strengthen instructional practices, support professional learning, and help ensure students clearly understand what they are learning and why it matters.

Throughout her career, Ms. Luna has demonstrated a deep commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and helping students succeed. Prior to her current role, she served as both a Building Instructional Lead and Building Technology Lead at Fairmont Junior High, supporting professional learning communities and helping guide instructional initiatives aligned with district priorities.

In her new role at DTEC, Ms. Luna will continue advancing the District’s focus on student-centered learning, supporting implementation of standards-based reporting practices, and helping ensure students are prepared for success in college, career, and life—central priorities of Boise School District’s Strategic Plan.

Ms. Luna earned her Master of Education in Learning and Technology from Western Governors University and has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to education, including receiving the Boise School District Red Apple Award.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Luna on her new leadership role at the Dennis Technical Education Center.

For the past year, Mr. Ott has served as Assistant Principal at Hillside Junior High School. He brings more than two decades of experience in education to his new role, including nearly 20 years serving students in the Boise School District at both the junior high and high school levels. Since 2016, he taught biology, physical science, and life science at Les Bois Junior High School, where he also served as Administrative Designee, Science Department Chair, and a key member of the school’s leadership team. Prior to that, he taught chemistry and biology at Borah High School for nine years.

Mr. Ott’s deep understanding of the secondary school environment is matched by his strong commitment to student-centered learning and instructional practices that support every student’s growth and success. He has played an important role in advancing instructional initiatives aligned with the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan, helping ensure students are prepared for success in college, career, and citizenship. He also brings experience supporting standards-based reporting, helping educators and families better understand student progress and learning.

A participant in the District’s Leaders of Influence Academy and Clarity cohorts, and a 2024 Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching recipient, Mr. Ott consistently demonstrates leadership grounded in clarity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. He has contributed significantly to districtwide instructional efforts by helping develop science learning scales, common assessments, and professional learning opportunities that strengthen standards-aligned instruction across schools.

Mr. Ott is known for building strong, positive relationships with students, families, and staff and for leading with empathy, insight, and dedication. His experience as an administrative intern at Les Bois Junior High further strengthened his ability to support diverse student needs and foster inclusive school communities.

Please join us in welcoming Ben Ott to his new leadership role at Boise High School. We are confident he will continue to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the Boise High community.

Mrs. Reader brings nearly two decades of experience in public education and a strong record of instructional leadership focused on supporting students and educators. For the past four years, she has served as the Boise School District’s English Language Arts Supervisor, where she has worked closely with school leaders and teachers across the district to strengthen literacy instruction and support high-quality, student-centered learning experiences.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Reader has demonstrated a deep commitment to meeting the needs of each and every student. As a former Secondary Reading Coach in the Boise School District, she supported literacy instruction across 13 secondary campuses, helping teachers implement effective strategies that improved student engagement and achievement. She also previously served as an Assistant Principal at South Junior High School and Assistant Principal at Frank Church High School, further strengthening her experience as a collaborative and student-focused school leader.

Mrs. Reader began her career as an English Language Arts teacher, serving students in the Nampa School District, Kuna School District, and with the Abu Dhabi Education Council in the United Arab Emirates, where she taught across grades 4 through 9. Across these roles, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to building strong relationships with students, staff, and families while creating positive learning environments where students can grow and succeed.

Mrs. Reader’s leadership reflects a strong commitment to student-centered learning, the continued implementation of standards-based reporting, and advancing the goals of the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan. Her work supports the district’s vision of ensuring every student graduates prepared for college, career, and citizenship.

Mrs. Reader earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary English Education, Master of Education in Reading, and Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Northwest Nazarene University.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Reader on her new role and welcoming her to the White Pine Elementary School community.

Boise School District is pleased to announce that Julie Schroeder has been selected to serve as Assistant Principal of Hillside Junior High School beginning the 2026-2027 school year. 

Ms. Schroeder brings more than 20 years of experience in education and school leadership to her new role, including significant secondary school administrative experience as Assistant Principal at Vista Middle School in Washington State, where she supported instructional leadership, staff evaluation, student discipline systems, athletic programs, and schoolwide improvement initiatives. In that role, she collaborated with leadership teams to analyze student data and strengthen school improvement planning focused on attendance, behavior, and course completion.

Currently serving as an Administrator Designee and Physical Education Specialist at Riverside Elementary School in the Boise School District, Ms. Schroeder has played a key role in supporting schoolwide operations, coordinating safety procedures, assisting with IEP processes, overseeing testing coordination, and working closely with staff and families to support student success.

Ms. Schroeder is a strong advocate for student-centered learning and brings a collaborative leadership style focused on building relationships that support both academic progress and social-emotional growth. She is committed to creating learning environments where students feel supported to take risks, grow, and achieve at high levels.

She has also demonstrated leadership in advancing standards-based grading practices, contributing to district work supporting the implementation of standards-based reporting for elementary physical education specialists and collaborating with colleagues to strengthen instructional clarity and student agency across classrooms.

In addition, Ms. Schroeder has supported the preparation of future educators through her work with Boise State University as a Physical Education mentor teacher and liaison, helping guide teacher candidates and strengthen the connection between university preparation programs and classroom practice.

Throughout her career, Ms. Schroeder has remained deeply aligned with the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan priorities, including strengthening instructional practice, supporting positive school culture, and ensuring every student is prepared for success in college, career, and citizenship. Her experience implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), supporting teacher evaluation systems aligned to instructional frameworks, and participating in district leadership teams reflects her commitment to continuous improvement and collaborative school leadership.

Boise School District looks forward to the leadership, experience, and dedication Ms. Schroeder will bring to the students, staff, and families of Hillside Junior High School.

Ms. Smith brings 15 years of experience serving students in the Boise School District, along with a strong background in instructional leadership, student-centered learning, and collaboration with educators to improve classroom practice and student outcomes. Most recently, she has served as a Learning Coach at Hillside Junior High School, where she partnered closely with teachers to strengthen instructional strategies, support standards-based objectives and assessment practices, and promote data-informed decision-making to enhance student engagement and achievement.

Throughout her career, Ms. Smith has demonstrated a deep commitment to student-centered learning by supporting educators in implementing clarity practices, differentiated instruction, and research-based teaching strategies that help ensure every student has access to meaningful learning opportunities. She has played a key role in facilitating professional learning communities, coaching teachers through collaborative goal-setting cycles, and aligning instructional practices with student outcomes.

Ms. Smith also brings valuable leadership experience through her work supporting the Boise School District Alternative Junior High Summer School program, where she helped oversee daily operations, student support systems, staff development, and family communication to maintain a safe and productive learning environment.

Her commitment to standards-based reporting and clarity practices reflects her belief in helping both students and educators better understand learning goals and progress. She has consistently supported teachers in developing success criteria, using formative assessment effectively, and analyzing student data to guide instruction—work that directly supports the District’s ongoing efforts to strengthen instructional consistency and transparency for families.

In addition to her instructional leadership experience, Ms. Smith has served students at Borah High School as a teacher, Mock Trial advisor, and administrative intern, further strengthening her connection to the Borah community and its students, staff, and families.

Ms. Smith’s leadership reflects a strong alignment with the Boise School District Strategic Plan, particularly its focus on academic excellence, student-centered learning, and preparing every student for success in college, career, and life. She is committed to fostering a positive school culture, supporting teacher growth, and ensuring students have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Smith on her new role and in welcoming her to the Borah High School administrative team.