Gov. Stitt appoints Lindel Fields to finish Walters' term as State Superintendent

In his press conference at Eisenhower International School, Gov. Stitt called for the legislature to pass a constitutional amendment changing the State Superintendent of Public Instruction from an elected position to one appointed by the Governor, before announcing his selection of Lindel Fields, a former longtime Career Tech superintendent.

Stitt announced as part of the "turnaround team" the following individuals: Connie Riley (Office of Educational Quality and Accountability), Kristen Stevens, Romel Muex-Pullen, Megan Oftedal, former State Rep. Tom Newell, Tara Thompson, and current Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders.

Stitt calls it a new day for Oklahoma education, with this as an opportunity for focusing on unity, transparency, and education outcomes.

An emotional Fields said, "Today is about steadying the ship." He listed three priorities for his time at the helm of the Oklahoma State Department of Education: 1) reading proficiency, 2) teacher recruitment and retention, and 3) career pathways for graduates. When asked by a reporter if he had any intention of running for State Superintendent in 2026, Fields categorically denied it, saying that he is focused on using the duration of this term to calm the waters.

Fields' motto for the Department's new approach: "Do what you say, say what you mean, and don't say it mean."

Gov. Stitt called the change a "a reset mindset" for Oklahoma education, also announcing his appointment of Dan Hamlin as the new Secretary of Education.

[UPDATE: Gov. Stitt's official press releases regarding the appointments of interim State Superintendent Lindel Fields and new Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin are below:]

Governor Stitt Appoints New Superintendent, Announces Oklahoma Turnaround Team

With the appointment, Gov. Stitt calls on the State Legislature to send to the ballot a State Question to make the State Superintendent an appointed position.

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 2, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that he will make his first appointment to State Superintendent, announcing Lindel Fields of Tulsa.

“It’s a new day for Oklahoma students,” said Gov. Stitt. “I want us to be top ten in everything we do, and we need a top ten education system to achieve that. Lindel will give the agency a fresh start and get it back to its mission of producing top tier students. I’m excited to appoint my first superintendent of public instruction, and I know great things are ahead.”

Lindel Fields is a veteran educator with over 30 years of experience in Oklahoma’s CareerTech system. He began his career in 1991 as an educator at the Dick Conner Correctional Center and was quickly promoted to Director of Instruction, overseeing correctional training programs statewide. He later served as Assistant Director at Central Tech before joining Tri County Technology Center in 1999, where he became Superintendent & CEO in 2009. Under his leadership, Tri County Tech earned national recognition for innovation, student achievement, and organizational culture. Fields retired in 2021, having impacted tens of thousands of students through career-focused education. He is also the founder of Culture Coach, a company that helps businesses and schools nationwide build strong cultures to improve retention, efficiency, and outcomes.

“I am endlessly grateful to Governor Stitt for his trust,” said Fields. “As his first appointed superintendent of public instruction, I look forward to implementing his vision for the education of Oklahoma students. We are going to turn this department around and equip our students with the skills they need to make Oklahoma the best state it can be.”

Governor Stitt has long advocated for depoliticizing the role of superintendent and giving future governors the opportunity to appoint the role to align with their education agendas.  

“In my last seven years, it has been clear that the operation of this agency and the well-being of Oklahoma’s students have taken a back seat to the political ambitions of the individual who holds this position,” said Gov. Stitt. “At best, the agenda of the Governor and the superintendent are out of alignment. At worst, the superintendent has actively campaigned to unseat the Governor. Our students are too precious of a resource to leave to the whims of politicians. Now is the perfect time to consider depoliticizing the Department of Education by allowing future governors to appoint the role of superintendent.”

Governor Stitt is also proud to announce the OKSDE Turnaround Team, a group of high caliber Oklahomans with special experience in education and organizational leadership to assist in the implementation of a new future for the Department of Education.

• Dan Hamlin
• Connie Reilly
• Megan Oftedal
• Kristin Stephens
• Tom Newell
• Tara Thompson
• Nellie Sanders

Governor Stitt Thanks Secretary Nellie Sanders for her Service, Appoints Dan Hamlin as New Secretary of Education

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 2, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders would be stepping away to continue to fight for the students of Oklahoma in the private sector. 

“Nellie’s passion for students, especially those that don’t fit the traditional education mold, has revolutionized the Oklahoma education system,” said Gov. Stitt. “She sees students who think differently in a way no one else does, and our state is better for it. Her passion for education is irreplaceable, but her dedication to the students will continue to be well-served as she fights for Oklahoma outside of the walls of government.”

“Serving as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education has been the honor of my lifetime,” says Secretary Sanders. “Under Governor Stitt’s leadership, we have taken important steps forward: establishing Science of Reading requirements for teacher certification, launching the Human Potential for Future Industries Task Force, and pioneering teacher apprenticeship pathways to ensure success for all students. These are lasting foundations that will help open doors for Oklahoma students for years to come.”

Governor Stitt will name University of Oklahoma professor Dan Hamlin as his new secretary of education. 

“I’m excited to bring Dan to the team,” said Governor Stitt. “He brings a new perspective that will pay dividends as we work to stabilize the Oklahoma State Department of Education and turnaround our education system.”

“Oklahoma is a state that's full of promise, but our children need a strong education to pursue the opportunities available to them,” said Hamlin. “For many years, I have dedicated my work to researching how to strengthen education systems, so I am thrilled to have an opportunity to work with our partners across the state to do just that.”

Daniel Hamlin is Presidential Professor in education policy and Faculty Director of the Oklahoma Center for Education Policy (OCEP) at the University of Oklahoma. He is the founding director of OCEP, Editor-in-Chief of the Oklahoma Education Journal, and Research Affiliate at the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard University.  He has been published by a variety of widely respected journals and won multiple awards for his work in the education space.