Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ryan Walters joins Rick Green to discuss why he believes restoring American education requires more than changing curriculum. It also means supporting teachers who want to teach strong academics, classroom discipline, American history, and the values necessary to sustain a constitutional republic.
Walters shares lessons from his work as Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction and discusses the Teacher Freedom Alliance, an effort to give educators an alternative to traditional teachers unions. He explains how the organization is working to provide professional development, liability resources, curriculum support, and a community for teachers who may otherwise feel isolated.
Rick and Ryan also discuss a problem they say has existed for years: teachers who disagree with the political direction of their unions but have depended on those organizations for professional development, insurance, and other resources connected to their careers.
Walters argues that teachers need another option.
The conversation also turns to classroom discipline and the importance of setting high expectations for students. Walters says schools should help young people develop personal responsibility while giving them the academic foundation they need to use their God-given talents.
Most importantly, he says education has a civic purpose that shouldn’t be forgotten. Students need to understand the nation’s history and values if America’s constitutional republic is going to continue into another generation.
Watch the full conversation with Ryan Walters and Rick Green, then tell us what you think: What should be the primary mission of American education?
Ryan Walters joins Rick Green to discuss why he believes restoring American education requires more than changing curriculum. It also means supporting teachers who want to teach strong academics, classroom discipline, American history, and the values necessary to sustain a constitutional republic.
Walters shares lessons from his work as Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction and discusses the Teacher Freedom Alliance, an effort to give educators an alternative to traditional teachers unions. He explains how the organization is working to provide professional development, liability resources, curriculum support, and a community for teachers who may otherwise feel isolated.
Rick and Ryan also discuss a problem they say has existed for years: teachers who disagree with the political direction of their unions but have depended on those organizations for professional development, insurance, and other resources connected to their careers.
Walters argues that teachers need another option.
The conversation also turns to classroom discipline and the importance of setting high expectations for students. Walters says schools should help young people develop personal responsibility while giving them the academic foundation they need to use their God-given talents.
Most importantly, he says education has a civic purpose that shouldn’t be forgotten. Students need to understand the nation’s history and values if America’s constitutional republic is going to continue into another generation.
Watch the full conversation with Ryan Walters and Rick Green, then tell us what you think: What should be the primary mission of American education?
