Oklahoma Public Education: From Chaos to Courage
Backbone of the Blackboard: Why I Stand With Teachers
I’m a small business owner, not a policymaker. But I care deeply about the future of our community, and that future is tied directly to the strength of our public education in Oklahoma. I’ve worked with families all across Shawnee and Central Oklahoma, and I hear it all the time: people want their kids to thrive. They want schools that prepare students for life, not just for tests. They want leaders who build, not tear down.
When my wife Sharon, a public school special education teacher, comes home and shares the day’s wins, I’m reminded just how heroic Oklahoma’s public educators really are. They keep showing up, lifting students, solving problems, and moving the needle forward, even as the system tries to pull them back.
Ryan Walters is Oklahoma’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, but you wouldn’t know it by how he leads. From the start, he has acted more like a spotlight-chasing politician than someone invested in public education. Instruction should be his mission, but chaos is his calling card.
This isn’t just disappointing. It’s destructive. And our kids deserve better.
Chaos Was Never a Detour. It Was the Plan.
Walters didn’t accidentally wander off course. He walked in with an agenda that had nothing to do with student success. The result has been a constant stream of distractions, misinformation, and manufactured outrage that pull focus from what truly matters.
Here are just a few examples of what public education is up against:
- He pushed mandatory Bible instruction without local input or thoughtful implementation.
- He approved curriculum standards laced with conspiracy theories and political spin.
- Federal investigators scrutinized his use of pandemic relief funds.
- He created a culture of instability, turning the Department of Education into a revolving door of resignations, scandals, and lawsuits.
Ultimately, none of this helps children learn to read, grow in math, or prepare for the future. But it does make life harder for every teacher, counselor, principal, and student who is working to rise above the noise.
Who’s Really in Charge Here?
Back in 2011, at the end of Governor Brad Henry’s second term, some Oklahomans remember hearing we ranked around 17th in education. That number may be debated, but there’s no debate we were doing better, and with less chaos. At the time, parents were just as engaged in their kids’ learning as they are today.
What happened?
So what changed? There weren’t rallies demanding control. There weren’t viral videos accusing teachers of indoctrination. And yet, our schools were doing significantly better.
Somewhere along the way, we shifted away from real solutions and got swept up in the politics of distraction. Public trust in educators gave way to theatrical outrage. Constructive dialogue was replaced by manufactured controversy. Our schools, once a source of pride, became a target in a broader cultural battle. The conversation moved from how to help students succeed to how to win an argument, and it’s our children, teachers, and communities who have felt the consequences.
In reality, most parents don’t want to run public education. They want it to work.
They want safe classrooms, dedicated teachers, and a system that prepares their kids for real life. This sudden obsession with being “in charge” isn’t coming from parents on the ground. It’s coming from a national political movement that’s using fear and outrage to dismantle the very institution their kids depend on.
If your house were on fire, would you want to be handed the hose, or would you call the firefighters? And would you expect the fire chief to step aside and let you manage the rescue? Of course not. You’d rely on the people who are trained to handle a crisis, assess danger, and act with skill. Teachers bring that same level of training and professionalism into the room. They study, adapt, problem-solve, and show up for students in ways that deserve trust, not suspicion.
The Heroes in the Classroom
In the middle of all this noise, there is something steady and true. Our teachers. Our counselors. Our administrators. These are the people who keep showing up, not for the cameras, but for the kids.
They’re not just covering curriculum. Sometimes they’re catching things others miss. You’ll find them noticing when a student is falling behind, or when a quiet kid is quietly hurting. Sure, they’re teaching math, (well, not Sharon, who’s firmly on Team English) but also perseverance, creativity, and confidence. And yes, they’re holding high expectations and giving second chances.
That’s what makes them heroic.
Despite everything coming from the top, our public educators keep leaning in. Oklahoma is facing a growing teacher shortage, but meaningful investment in educators can help reverse the trend. They collaborate. They work after hours. They sometimes buy supplies with their own money. They pay attention to the policies coming out of state board meetings, and then get up the next morning to focus on what really matters to them: the students right in front of them.
This is one of the biggest reasons families choose where to live. Ask any parent why they settled in a community, and odds are the school district is part of the story. Great public schools are community builders. They shape how we live, how we grow, and how we take care of one another.
That’s why public education matters. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s personal. It touches every family, every neighborhood, every future. And the people who keep it going deserve our support, not suspicion.
Let’s Choose to Build, Not Break
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from working with families in Shawnee and across Central Oklahoma, it’s this: most people want their kids to thrive. They want them to learn, to grow, and to feel safe. We can see that doesn’t happen through soundbites or stunts. It happens because educators pour themselves into students every single day.
We can’t silence the chaos overnight, but we can outlast it with something better. Hope. Advocacy. Real leadership at the local level. And a deep, ongoing belief that every child deserves access to strong public schools, regardless of their zip code or family income.
And no, before anyone asks, I’m not floating a campaign for school board. I couldn’t serve while Sharon’s employed by Shawnee Public Schools anyway, but more than that, my heart is in the bigger picture. I’m sold on Shawnee and committed to standing up for public education everywhere, not just here at home.
Because public education is worth fighting for. And yes, Sharon gave me a hall pass for ending with a preposition.
If this resonates with you, share it or talk to someone who needs to hear it. Let’s keep showing up!
