Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s controversial State Superintendent of Public Instruction, has officially resigned from his post to become CEO of the newly formed Teacher Freedom Alliance, a national nonprofit aimed at challenging teachers’ unions and promoting conservative education reform.
Walters made the announcement during a late-night appearance on Fox News, stating, “We are going to destroy the teachers’ unions… This fight is going national, and we will get our schools back on track”. His resignation marks the end of a tenure defined by ideological clashes, lawsuits, and sweeping policy proposals that often drew national attention.
Elected in 2022, Walters served less than three years of his four-year term. His time in office was marked by efforts to ban Critical Race Theory, mandate Bible instruction in classrooms, and establish Turning Point USA chapters in every Oklahoma high school3.
The Teacher Freedom Alliance, backed by the Freedom Foundation, describes itself as a “battle tank” rather than a think tank, aiming to support educators who oppose union influence. Walters previously endorsed the group while serving as superintendent, prompting ethics complaints from state legislators.
Governor Kevin Stitt is expected to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of Walters’ term, which was set to end in January 2027. Potential successors include Oklahoma Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders and former state representative Mark McBride4.
Walters’ departure may also signal a shift in Oklahoma’s political landscape, as speculation swirled about his potential gubernatorial ambitions for 2026. For now, he appears poised to take his combative education agenda to the national stage.
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