"Ryan Walters has been the most detrimental influence on education in our state’s history," - Amanda Clinton

Amanda Clinton, candidate for Oklahoma House District 71, recently spoke with KWGS Public Radio about the state of public education in Oklahoma and the harm being caused by Ryan Walters.

Another candidate with classroom experience is Clinton. Clinton has worked as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University. Clinton said there’s one person who’s damaging education in Oklahoma more than anyone else.

“Ryan Walters has been the most detrimental influence on education in our state’s history I believe,” Clinton said. “When we have a teacher shortage he’s still emboldened to call teachers terrorists. It doesn’t matter how much we raise teacher pay when the top education official in the state is constantly undermining public ed.”

Full story: https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/local-regional/2025-02-14/4-candidates-4-generations-1-oklahoma-house-seat

As an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Oklahoma State University, and a member of the OSU Foundation Board of Governors, Clinton is deeply committed to public education. As the daughter of a current 53-year classroom teacher and a product of schools herself, she has witnessed firsthand the system’s highs and lows.

In 2011, Oklahoma ranked 17th in education, according to Oklahoma Policy Institute. By last year, Oklahoma Watch reported a staggering decline, placing our state 49th out of 50. It’s clear that current leadership is failing Oklahoma students.

"My mom has been a public school teacher for 53 years. I walked out with her in 1990 in elementary school to force the passage of House Bill 1017, and I walked out with her again in 2018. Since then, the legislature has gutted House Bill 1017, and Ryan Walters has become the most destructive force in public education in my lifetime,” Clinton said. “When the state's top education official fosters a hostile environment, there aren't enough incentives in the world to attract educators, families and businesses to Oklahoma. It's time we stop walking out and time to start standing up for education and against Ryan Walters and his radical agenda."

With Oklahoma’s education ranking among the bottom of all states, Clinton sees an urgent need for action if our state is going to grow its workforce and strengthen our economy. She hopes to bring leadership that values teachers, strengthens schools, and restores Oklahoma’s reputation for quality public education.