OKLAHOMA'S MAGA MAD MONK OF EDUCATION RYAN 'RASPUTIN' WALTERS RUNS OFF TPS SUP GIST
Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction, Ryan Walters, has been causing quite a stir in the education world lately. From calling for prayer in public schools to hanging the Ten Commandments in classrooms, Walters has been pushing his conservative agenda on the state's largest district, Tulsa Public Schools (TPS). But it seems his tactics have finally caught up with him, as TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist has announced her resignation amid a looming vote on the district's accreditation status.
Walters' work in Oklahoma offers a preview of the policies and tactics that could continue spreading to other states with conservative education leaders. His regulations prohibiting school libraries from circulating books with “sexualized content” and requiring educators to tell parents if their child changes their gender identity have sparked controversy and outrage from the LGBTQ+ community.
But it's not just Walters' policies that have people talking. His attacks on Gist and TPS have been politically motivated, according to TPS School Board member John Croisant. Walters has accused Gist of mismanagement and criticized her tenure, calling her departure a positive step. The State Board meeting on Thursday will determine TPS's accreditation fate, and tensions are high among parents and students as they fear the possibility of being reassigned to the nearest accredited school.
Walters' tactics have been compared to those of a mad monk, with his conservative beliefs and extreme measures causing chaos in the education world. He has been accused of using every trick in the billionaire's playbook to disrupt and destroy public education, and community leaders are speaking out against the possibility of TPS losing its accreditation.
One student, Lance Brightmire, has organized a student-led town hall to voice concerns about the state targeting TPS. The Protect TPS town hall is set for August 19th, and it's sure to be a lively event.
As for Walters, he's reportedly mulling a bid for governor in 2026, and his attacks on TPS and the Biden administration's education policies are likely to appeal to Republican voters. But for now, he'll have to deal with the fallout from Gist's resignation and the uncertain future of TPS.
Tulsa Superintendent Deborah Gist to Step Down Amid Feud With Anti-Woke School Boss Ryan Walters https://www.thedailybeast.com/tulsa-superintendent-deborah-gist-to-step-down-amid-feud-with-anti-woke-school-boss-ryan-walters
Ahead of state board decision, TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist announces departure https://nondoc.com/2023/08/22/ahead-of-state-board-decision-tps-superintendent-deborah-gist-announces-departure/ via @nondocmedia
State Superintendent, Tulsa Public Schools board member react to Gist's resignation | KTUL https://ktul.com/news/local/state-superintendent-tps-school-board-member-react-to-deborah-gists-resignation
TPS Board To Approve Interim Superintendent Following Gist's Resignation https://www.news9.com/story/64e5660bba2d257829853178/tps-board-to-approve-interim-superintendent-following-gists-resignation
Big Education Ape: OKLA SSPI RYAN WALTERS DECLARES WAR ON TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SUP GIST #OklaEd https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/okla-sspi-ryan-walters-declares-war-on.html
Big Education Ape: OKLA SSPI RYAN WALTERS TIMES ATTACKS ON TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO INTENTIONALLY DISRUPT THE OPENING OF SCHOOLS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/okla-sspi-ryan-walters-times-attacks-on.html
Big Education Ape: OKLAHOMA'S MAGA MAD MONK OF EDUCATION RYAN 'RASPUTIN' WALTERS GOES AFTER TPS SUP DEBORAH GIST LIKE SHE STOLE HIS LUNCH MONEY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/oklahomas-maga-mad-monk-of-education.html
How Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters is pushing Christianity in schools https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ryan-walters-oklahoma-schools-superintendent-tulsa-rcna101235