WASHINGTON — Oklahoma’s state superintendent of public instruction, Ryan Walters, is stepping down to take the helm of the conservative Teacher Freedom Alliance, a group that aims to provide alternatives to teachers’ unions and push back against what it calls “woke” influence in schools.
Walters, 40, who has been at the centre of heated debates over education policy since taking office in January 2023, announced the move Wednesday night during an interview on Fox News.
“We’re going to destroy the teachers unions,” Walters said. “We have seen the teachers unions use money and power to corrupt our schools, to undermine our schools.”
Bible Mandate in Schools
Walters, a former high school history teacher, made headlines nationwide for his push to inject religious instruction into Oklahoma classrooms.
In June 2024, he directed all public schools to incorporate the Bible, particularly the Ten Commandments, into their teaching. The move was met with widespread pushback, with many of the state’s largest school districts ignoring the order.
Earlier this year, Walters also proposed spending $3 million on so-called “Trump Bibles.” The books, which bear the former president’s endorsement, contain the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and patriotic music lyrics alongside scripture. Lawmakers ultimately rejected the funding request.
Controversies in the Office
Walters’ tenure has been dogged by controversy. Over the summer, he was accused of showing inappropriate images during a state Board of Education meeting, when members claimed they saw photos of naked women on a screen in his office.
Walters called the allegations “categorically false,” and prosecutors declined to file charges after an investigation.
He also frequently clashed with Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, despite having previously served as his education secretary. Disputes ranged from Walters’ stance on immigration to his demand that schools verify the citizenship status of new students.
Conservative Agenda in Schools
One of Walters’ final initiatives as superintendent was a plan to launch Turning Point USA chapters in every high school across Oklahoma.
The conservative grassroots group has faced turmoil following the assassination of co-founder Charlie Kirk during a university speaking event earlier this year.
Walters framed the plan as part of a broader campaign to counter what he views as left-wing dominance in education.
Teachers’ Unions Push Back
Teachers’ unions in Oklahoma have strongly opposed Walters’ policies. The Oklahoma Education Association accused him of undermining public schools, prioritising political battles over student needs.
“Oklahoma educators want to focus on teaching and learning, not on partisan stunts,” the association said in a statement. “Ryan Walters has spent his time manufacturing culture wars instead of solving real problems like teacher shortages and underfunding.”
Democratic lawmakers also criticised Walters’ record, arguing that his directives on religion violated the separation of church and state. “Walters has embarrassed our state nationally,” said Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. “His resignation is an opportunity to reset and put students first.”
Eyeing the Governor’s Office
While focusing on his new role at Teacher Freedom Alliance, Walters has hinted at future political ambitions.
He has left open the possibility of running for governor in 2026, when Gov. Stitt will be barred from seeking another term.
“I’ve got a lot of folks that really want me to jump in,” Walters said in May. “We want to continue to see our schools be as good as possible, and, you know, we’ll have conversations this summer around that.”
Praise from Teacher Freedom Alliance
The Teacher Freedom Alliance celebrated Walters’ appointment, hailing him as a champion of conservative values in education.
“Ryan Walters fearlessly fights the woke liberal union mob,” the group said in a statement. “TFA will take the fight straight to the unions, and we will not stop. Together, we will build a national movement that is centred on freedom and common sense, not on bullying and intimidation.”
