Oklahoma School Chief Resigns Amid Scandal to Lead Anti-Teacher Union Group

Scandal and Resignation of Ryan Walters

• 🎯 Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma State Superintendent, has resigned amidst a series of scandals, including allegations of sabotaging the education system.
• 📺 A notable incident involved nude women displayed on a screen during an executive session, which Walters initially denied, blaming a conspiracy, but was later identified as a scene from the Jackie Chan movie "The Protector."
• 🔍 Investigations by multiple agencies, including the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, looked into the incident, though Walters was ultimately exonerated.
• 💰 Despite the controversies, Walters is cashing in by taking a new role as CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a union-busting organization funded by conservative billionaires.

Walters' Controversial Tenure

• 📚 Walters had been pushing for the Bible to be taught in schools and partnered with country music star Lee Greenwood for "God Bless USA Bibles."
• 🇺🇸 He also collaborated with PragerU to create a test for teachers to prove their "American-ness," including affirming that there are only two genders.
• 📉 Oklahoma ranks 50th in education, and critics argue Walters' actions further undermine the state's educational standards.
• 🚫 He also allegedly mishandled COVID relief funds and mandated that high schools partner with Turning Point USA or risk losing accreditation.

The Teacher Freedom Alliance

• ⚔️ Walters announced his new role with the explicit goal to "destroy the teachers unions," which he claims corrupt and undermine schools.
• ✊ He stated the Teacher Freedom Alliance is a large grassroots organization that will "build an army of teachers to defeat the teachers unions."
• 💰 The move is seen as a significant pay raise from his previous $124,000 salary as superintendent, allowing him to operate outside of official investigations.
• 🏢 Critics question the effectiveness of this strategy, suggesting that his previous position as superintendent might have been more impactful for his stated goals, and that his resignation is more about personal gain and avoiding accountability.