Former Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters Joins Teacher Support Alliance After Criticizing Unions

Ryan Walters, who recently resigned as Oklahoma's state superintendent of public instruction, has taken on the role of CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a national anti-union organization affiliated with the Freedom Foundation. During his tenure, Walters aggressively pursued an education reform agenda marked by frequent controversies, including conflicts with teachers' unions, media criticism, and policies reflecting conservative Christian values. Walters has openly opposed teachers' unions, blaming them for introducing radical left-wing ideologies into schools, and he vowed to continue fighting these unions in his new position. His administration has faced scrutiny, including calls for an audit of the Oklahoma State Department of Education and ethics complaints related to his promotion of the Teacher Freedom Alliance before his official hiring. Critics note the irony of Walters now leading a group similar to the unions he condemned, emphasizing that success in his new role will require collaboration and empathy toward educators. Despite the criticism, Walters maintains that Oklahoma has become a national model for education reform under his leadership, asserting that he will remain active in shaping education policy in the state.