Meet Galilea Martinez
Galilea is proven leader from South OKC running for School Board.
Galilea Martinez is a lifelong South Oklahoma City resident, public servant, and advocate for strong public schools. She was born and raised in the district and began her education in an OKCPS elementary school. She grew up in a mixed status household, an experience that shaped her belief that every child deserves equal access to a high-quality, well-resourced public education.
Galilea’s work has taken her across the country, where she has helped lead communications, partnerships, and civic engagement efforts on major national issues. Through her career, she has worked alongside elected officials, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations to strengthen democratic institutions and expand access for historically underrepresented communities.
Galilea has never lost sight of where she comes from. Her roots in South OKC continue to guide her commitment to service, accountability, and community-driven leadership. She believes the best solutions are built locally by listening to families, supporting educators, and ensuring public resources are used effectively.
Galilea is running for the OKCPS School Board because she believes education is a right, not a privilege. She is focused on strengthening accountability, improving outcomes for students, and helping ensure OKCPS delivers real results for every child so all students have the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
She is an avid member of her community, when not working you can find Galilea volunteering with a local organization, running (quite literally) with students across OKC, and spending time with her family.
Why I’m Running
I’ve watched Oklahoma City Public Schools make meaningful progress in recent years, and I’m proud of the hard work our students and educators continue to do. At the same time, our district is still not meeting the level of academic growth and proficiency our students deserve when measured against statewide and national standards.
I was born and raised in this district. I began my education in an OKCPS elementary school, and those early experiences shaped how I understand both the promise of public education and the gaps that still exist. Education is not a privilege, it is a right. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education where creativity is nurtured, sports are accessible, and curiosity is encouraged, no matter their background or neighborhood.
I’m running because our students deserve a system that delivers real results—not just plans or good intentions. I want to build on the progress this board has already made while sharpening our focus on what comes next: stronger accountability, more effective use of resources, and rebuilding trust with families and educators.
My career has taken me across the country working on major national issues, but everything I do is grounded in where I come from. My roots are here. I believe local leadership, informed by national experience, can help move OKCPS into its next chapter—one where every student has the tools to thrive.
