OK Supt of Ed Candidate Jena Nelson: Endorsements and Involvement in DEI / CRT

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The Oklahoma Superintendent of Education race is being reported as a close race. Republican candidate Ryan Walters has made his priorities known, but what do we know about Democrat candidate Jena Nelson besides her opposition to vouchers?

Neither candidate, if elected, would have the authority to enact or prevent a voucher program. The legislature has the responsibility for making this decision. But the person elected would have great influence over curriculum in public schools.

Below is a list of known endorsements for Ms. Nelson. Images for endorsements are attached.

Bernie Sanders’ Our Revolution Oklahoma was started in 2016 after Bernie Sanders lost the Democrat primary to Hillary Clinton.

Sally’s List was started in 2010 and aims to recruit, train and elect pro-abortion, progressive (aka socialist) female candidates. Former CD5 congresswoman Kendra Horn, now US Senate candidate, was director for Sally’s List from 2015-2017.

Indivisible Oklahoma (which also endorses Joy Hofmeister for Governor) focuses on progressive (aka socialist) values & activism and wants citizenship for illegals, abortion, climate change legislation, gun control and socialized medicine.

Gun Sense Voter and Moms Demand Action support gun control. Gun sense candidate lookup.

Change Oklahoma supports, promotes and creates opportunities for progressive (aka socialist) candidates and ideas. Their goals are similar to Indivisible and Our Revolution.

Representative John Waldron. Rep. Waldron wrote in Education Week that “As teachers, we need to realize that teaching is a political act.” He is one of two Oklahoma political candidates endorsed by the Political Revolution, which is an offshoot of the Bernie campaign. And Campaigns.

Jena Nelson Involvement with CRT / DEI Policies

Per OCPA link below, Jena Nelson was a member of Deer Creek Public Schools Diversity and Inclusion Committee. On Feb. 12, 2022, Nelson claimed that CRT is not part of Oklahoma schools and dismissed concerns that many CRT concepts are now being relabeled as “social emotional learning” (SEL).

The Deer Creek school district has hired the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice (OCCJ) to provide up to 13 workshops whose objectives include a focus on “diversity, inclusion, implicit bias, and inclusive leadership.”

The OCCJ blog states that several of the organization’s programs “address critical theories by seeking to interrupt the automatic consciousness that determines what is ‘right’ or the ‘truth.’ For example, both young people and adults who partake in OCCJ programs are encouraged to examine their identities, seeking examples of both privilege and lack of privilege.”

Deer Creek schools hire pro-CRT group

Critical Theories

EXAMPLES of CRT in Tulsa and Edmond Public Schools are attached.

Full Language in HB1775, which prohibits the teaching of CRT: HB1775 ENR.PDF (state.ok.us)

Jana Nelson Endorsements and CRT Example

A-rated and endorsed Ryan Walters needs our support and vote. Last week, Sooner Poll released that Jena Nelson is currently leading Ryan Walters by five points in a baseline poll. Share this blog post and spread the word that you support Ryan Walters for State Superintendent of Public Education!