Governor Kevin Stitt has appointed Lindel Fields as the new State Superintendent, following the official resignation of Ryan Walters on Tuesday.
The governor made the announcement Thursday afternoon at Eisenhower International School in Tulsa. It was reported earlier this week that Fields, who was a retired Career Tech administrator, would take over as Oklahoma state superintendent.
During his introductory news conference, Fields said his top three priorities are reading proficiency, teacher recruitment and retention, and creating career pathways.
Who is Lindel Fields?
Fields has worked in the education sector in Oklahoma for more than three decades, most recently serving as the CEO of Your Culture Coach. He is currently based in Tulsa.
Fields studied at Oklahoma State University from 1991 to 1996, graduating with a B.S. in Trade and Industrial Teacher Education. He went on to further his education at Southern Nazarene University, getting his M.A. in Education Leadership from 1997 to 1999.
Lindel began “Your Culture Coach” in May 2021 and currently serves as the CEO. The company’s website states their mission is “transforming education,” and their vision is “We elevate leaders and transform cultures to recruit and retain passionate and loyal team members through world-class training.”
Fields served as the CEO and Superintendent of Tri-County Tech, a public-sector educational institution from July 2009 to May 2021.
Fields will serve the remainder of Walters’ term as State Superintendent.
