Ryan Walters: Oklahoma’s Controversial Education Leader

Introduction

Ryan Walters is a prominent and polarizing figure in Oklahoma politics, serving as the 15th Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction. Known for his staunch conservative views and aggressive stance on educational reform, Walters has become a central figure in the national debate over public education. His tenure has been marked by significant policy changes, legal challenges, and widespread controversy.

Early Life and Career

Born on May 23, 1985, in McAlester, Oklahoma, Ryan Walters was raised in a family deeply involved in education and community service. His father was a bank executive and a minister, while his mother worked at Eastern Oklahoma State College. Both parents attended Harding University and were active members of the North Town Church of Christ, where his father served as a minister and his mother as the elementary education director.

Walters graduated from Harding University in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in history. He returned to his hometown to teach at McAlester High School, where he spent eight years teaching Advanced Placement (AP) courses in World History, U.S. History, and U.S. Government. During his time at MHS, Walters also taught on-level history classes, special education classes, and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes. In 2016, he was named a finalist for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year 

Political Rise and Superintendent Tenure

Secretary of Education

In September 2020, Walters was appointed as Oklahoma's Secretary of Education by Governor Kevin Stitt. During his tenure, he focused on implementing conservative educational reforms and advocating for school choice initiatives. His appointment marked the beginning of his active involvement in state-level education policy.

2022 Election

In June 2022, Walters ran for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction as one of four Republican candidates. He was endorsed by Governor Kevin Stitt and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Walters advanced to the August runoff election, where he secured 53% of the vote, defeating April Grace. In the general election, he defeated Democratic nominee Jena Nelson to become the state's top education official 

Policy Initiatives

As Superintendent, Walters implemented several controversial policies:

• Opposition to Critical Race Theory and LGBTQ+ Rights: He has been a vocal critic of critical race theory and has opposed policies supporting LGBTQ+ students' rights. His stance has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and educators.

• Teacher Union Opposition: Walters has expressed strong opposition to teachers' unions, labeling them as "corrupt" and advocating for their dismantling. He has been associated with the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a conservative group aimed at challenging teachers' unions 

• Mandate for Bible Instruction: In June 2024, Walters issued a memo requiring all public schools in Oklahoma to teach the Christian Bible, including the Ten Commandments. He requested $3 million in his budget for fiscal year 2026 to purchase Bibles for schools. This mandate faced legal challenges, with a group of Oklahomans filing suit in the Oklahoma Supreme Court to block the teaching mandate and the expenditure 

• Teacher Ideology Tests: Walters proposed rules to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and to prohibit educators who perform in drag from teaching in Oklahoma schools. These proposals have been met with widespread criticism from educators and civil rights organizations 

Controversies and Legal Challenges

Walters' tenure has been marked by several controversies:

• Tulsa Public Schools Accreditation: In July 2023, Walters requested the Oklahoma Department of Education Board to delay a vote on Tulsa Public Schools' state accreditation. He suggested the possibility of revoking the district's accreditation, which would have resulted in the closure of the district and the transfer of its 33,000 students to neighboring districts. This proposal faced significant opposition from local leaders and educators 

• Impeachment Calls: In August 2023, Walters faced calls for impeachment after sharing an edited video from a far-right social media account, which led to bomb threats against Union Public Schools and a librarian's home. Critics accused Walters of inciting the threats by sharing the video without context 

• Explicit Content Investigation: In July 2025, Walters was under investigation after board members reported seeing explicit images on a television in his office during a closed State Board of Education meeting. Walters denied the allegations, calling them "categorically false" and politically motivated. The investigation concluded without charges due to insufficient evidence 

Recent Developments

In September 2025, Walters announced his resignation as Oklahoma State Superintendent, effective October 2025. He stated that he would become the CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a conservative group aimed at dismantling teachers' unions. Despite having over a year left in his term, Walters decided to step down to lead the national movement against teachers' unions 

Key Events in Ryan Walters' Career

Notable Aspects of Ryan Walters' Tenure

1. Strong Conservative Stance: Advocated for policies reflecting conservative values in education.

2. Opposition to Teacher Unions: Actively worked to challenge and dismantle teachers' unions.

3. Controversial Policies: Implemented mandates on Bible instruction and opposed DEI programs.

4. Legal Challenges: Faced lawsuits and calls for impeachment due to his policies and actions.

5. National Influence: Transitioned to a national role leading efforts against teachers' unions.

Conclusion

Ryan Walters' career has been characterized by a commitment to conservative educational reforms and a willingness to engage in contentious debates over the direction of public education. His policies and actions have sparked significant controversy, leading to legal challenges and widespread criticism. As he steps into a national role with the Teacher Freedom Alliance, Walters' influence on the future of education policy in the United States remains to be seen.