ryan walters

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican Ryan Walters, the state's top public schools administrator who voted to commend President Donald Trump, vowed to put a Turning Point USA club in all high schools to honor Charlie Kirk and end what he called "wokeness" in the public schools, is resigning to become the leader of a conservative teachers association.

Walters, 40, made the announcement on an appearance at Fox News last night that he is quitting as state superintendent of public instruction to become the CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit group that says it assists teachers "in their efforts to develop free, moral, and upright American citizens.".

“We’re going to destroy the teachers unions,” Walters said on Fox. “We have seen the teachers unions use money and power to corrupt our schools, to undermine our schools.”

WATCH: Why critics are alarmed about the influence of PragerU’s educational videos

Walters has shifted into culture-war politics and tried to bring religion into the classroom curriculum, for example, a proposal to make it mandatory that public school teachers cover the Bible in lesson plans for kids aged grades 5 through 12.

He has also sought to require social studies instructors to promote conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, track students' immigration status in schools and require California and New York job applicants to pass a test aimed at shielding what he referred to as "radical leftist ideology." Nearly all his initiatives have led to lawsuits against him and the agency while Oklahoma's national rankings for multiple education metrics continue to decline.

Just this Tuesday, Walters said Oklahoma high schools will be experiencing Turning Point USA chapters. He went on to say that parents, teachers and students "want their young people to be engaged in a process that values free speech, open debate, discussion of American greatness, discussion of American values."

Kirk founded the organization to mobilize young, Christian conservatives. It has seen an enormous burst of interest and support since Sept. 10, the activist's day of assassination.

Walters, who retired as an educator, was selected as superintendent. He served Oklahoma Secretary of Education from September 2020 to April 2023. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed him to the role.

Since that time, "we have witnessed a wave of constant scandal and political drama," Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond said.

"It's time for a State Superintendent of Public Instruction who will finally put quality instruction first in our public schools," Drummond, a 2026 Republican candidate for governor, said.