Ryan Walters, Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced his resignation on Thursday evening. He is leaving his elected post to become the CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a national organization focused on opposing teachers unions.
The move transitions Walters from a state-level political figure, known for his involvement in cultural debates within education, to a national role leading an initiative by the conservative think tank, the Freedom Foundation.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan Walters has resigned as Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- He will now serve as CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a national anti-union organization.
- During his tenure, Walters was a controversial figure who championed conservative education policies.
- Governor Kevin Stitt will appoint an interim superintendent to complete the remaining 15 months of Walters' term.
- The resignation has prompted reactions of relief from some Oklahoma education advocates.
Walters to Lead National Anti-Union Effort
In his announcement, Ryan Walters confirmed his new position as the chief executive of the Teacher Freedom Alliance. He stated his intention to expand his focus from Oklahoma to a nationwide campaign against teachers unions.
During a television appearance on Fox News, Walters outlined his new mission. "We will build an army of teachers to defeat the teachers unions once and for all," he said. "This fight is going national and we will get our schools back."
The Teacher Freedom Alliance is an initiative of the Freedom Foundation, a conservative organization that has been active in promoting policies that it says weaken the influence of public-sector unions. Walters has previously collaborated with the group, speaking at its Teacher Freedom Summits in 2023 and 2024.
"They’re about power and they’re about money," Walters said of unions at the 2023 summit. "They could care less about student test scores."
His new role marks a significant shift, taking his long-standing opposition to teachers unions, whom he once labeled a "terrorist organization," to a national stage.
Background on the Teacher Freedom Alliance
The Teacher Freedom Alliance was launched by the Freedom Foundation earlier this year. Its stated goal is to provide resources and support for educators who wish to leave their unions. The organization's launch was endorsed by Walters, a move which prompted a state lawmaker to request an attorney general investigation into its legality at the time.
A Controversial Tenure in Oklahoma
Ryan Walters' time as Oklahoma's top education official, first as Secretary of Education and then as State Superintendent since his election in 2022, was marked by frequent controversy and a focus on cultural issues in schools.
Policy and Political Actions
As superintendent, Walters implemented a series of conservative policies. He moved to revoke the teaching licenses of educators accused of violating state laws that restrict discussions on certain topics related to race and gender, often referred to as "divisive concepts."
He also initiated other high-profile actions, including threatening a state takeover of Tulsa Public Schools and mandating the use of specific Bibles in classrooms. More recently, he announced a plan for every high school in Oklahoma to host a chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization.
These actions kept him in the media spotlight but also led to friction with other state leaders. Deven Carlson, a political science professor at the University of Oklahoma, noted that Walters had increasingly alienated "pretty much everyone" in state government, despite having grassroots support in some areas.
Relationship with State and Federal Officials
Walters' relationship with Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, who initially supported him, reportedly deteriorated. According to Carlson, Stitt grew frustrated with the national attention on Walters' initiatives, which he felt were negatively impacting his economic development agenda for the state. Friction was also apparent with federal officials, who were critical of his proposal to eliminate federal testing requirements in Oklahoma.
Investigations and Political Fallout
Throughout his term, Walters faced multiple investigations and criticism from fellow Republicans. Former State Representative Mark McBride, who chaired an education subcommittee, was a vocal critic and had supported inquiries into whether Walters should be impeached.
McBride described the resignation as a "very positive move for Oklahoma." He expressed hope that Governor Stitt's appointee would have "no agenda other than working with students and teachers to improve outcomes."
Walters navigated several official inquiries. A probe into his management of state funds found no misconduct. In a separate incident, he was cleared of criminal charges after an investigation was launched because a movie containing nude scenes was seen playing on a television in his office during a state school board meeting. The district attorney found insufficient evidence of a crime.
Reaction and the Path Forward for Oklahoma Education
The news of Walters' departure was met with relief by many education advocates in the state. Jami Jackson-Cole, a teacher and moderator of an online group for Oklahoma educators, expressed a common sentiment.
"We can get back to the true focus of teaching without the constant distraction and headlines from the state superintendent," she said.
With Walters leaving, attention now turns to his replacement and the future of Oklahoma's education system. Governor Stitt is tasked with appointing an interim superintendent to serve the remaining 15 months of the term.
Potential Successors and the 2026 Election
Several names have been mentioned as possible interim appointees, including former Representative Mark McBride and Nellie Sanders, Stitt's current education secretary. Sanders previously served on a charter board that voted to approve the nation's first religious charter school.
The 2026 election for the state superintendent position is also taking shape. Candidates who have filed paperwork include:
- Republicans: Rob Miller and John Cox, both current superintendents.
- Democrat: Jennettie Marshall, a former Tulsa school board member.
- Independent: Jerry Griffin, also a former Tulsa board member.
Education organizers see this as a pivotal moment. Erika Wright of Oklahoma Appleseed, a nonprofit law firm, said her organization is part of a coalition developing a five-year plan for the state's schools. "With Walters being out of the picture, maybe Oklahomans who are serious about public education can now get to work turning this ship around," Wright stated. "The possibilities that lie before us are really exciting, but the work is not done."
