In Oklahoma, Teachers From Out of State Assessed for ‘America First’ Values

State Education Superintendent Ryan Walters says he holds teacher candidates from other states to another level of scrutiny.

Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters speaks during a special state Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City on April 12, 2023. Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo

Oklahoma’s education chief announced on Aug. 14 that the Sooner State’s public schools are kicking off the 2025–2026 academic year with 4,000 new “America First” teachers who he said won’t promote ideologies inconsistent with state-approved curriculum.

Those teachers, Oklahoma Education Superintendent Ryan Walters said in a statement, “are committed to putting students before woke politics.”