Years as a Registered Republican:
Years as a Registered Republican:
Years as a Registered Republican:
John Cox
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction
16
Years as a Registered Republican:
Dr. John Cox is a proven Republican leader who has dedicated his life to Oklahoma’s schools. For more than 40 years, he has served as a teacher, counselor, coach, professor, and superintendent. For the last 32 years, he has led Peggs Public School – where he wears every hat, from principal to transportation director, and knows firsthand what it takes to run a district.
He holds twelve professional certifications – including Superintendent, Principal, Counselor, Computer Science, and all levels of Mathematics – and has taught future school leaders at Mid-America Christian University and Northeastern State University.
In addition, Dr. Cox has served as President of the Oklahoma Rural Elementary Schools Association, Treasurer of the Oklahoma Schools Insurance Group, and Past-President of the NSU Alumni Association.
But his proudest roles are husband, father, and papa to six grandchildren – Marcus, Brynlee, Cannon, Brooklyn, Kaislyn, and Lura. It is their future – and the future of 700,000 Oklahoma children just like them – that drives his mission of Making Education Great Again.
Employment:
Superintendent-32 years
Teacher/Coach-8 years
Adjunct professor of Education-15 years
Professional Association Memberships:
ORES
OROS
OASA
Volunteer Affiliations:
Oklahoma Rural Elementary Schools, President, 25 years
Oklahoma SchoolsInsurance Group, Treasurer, 12 years
Oklahoma Schools Assurance Group,past Chairman, 15 years
Education:
BS-Mathematics
MS-Counseling
EdS-Specialist in Education
EdD-Educational Administration
Priorities if Elected:
1. Safe & Secure Schools Every Oklahoma child deserves a safe learning environment - physically, morally, and academically. Children cannot learn if they do not feel safe. Safety means more than lockeddoors or cameras - it means protecting students from outside threats, harmfulcontent, and instability in the classroom.
Dr. Cox’s Plan:
● Expand equitable school safety funding for rural and metro schools alike.
● Keep classrooms safe from indoctrination and vulgar content.
● Ensure parents can confidently send their children to school each morning,knowing they’ll be protected and respected.
● Promote transparency - parents should know every book, program, and
policy in their child’s classroom.“Safety is the most important thing we can do for our children. If a childdoesn’t feel safe, they cannot learn.” – Dr. John Cox
2. Academic Achievement Oklahoma must move from the bottom of the nation to the Top 25 ineducation. For too long, outdated testing and neglected basics have left our studentsbehind. Oklahoma kids aren’t “50th in the nation.” They deserve better - andwith the right leadership, we can get there.
Dr. Cox’s Plan:
● Replace end-of-year testing with growth-based benchmark assessmentsthat give teachers real-time feedback.
● Strengthen phonics and science of reading instruction (PK–5) to ensureevery child learns to read by third grade.
● Reinforce math foundations early so students can thrive in higher-levellearning.
● Make parent-driven IEPs the standard for special needs students, focusingon growth instead of paperwork.“I’m tired of Oklahoma being ranked 50th in education. We can and must dobetter. By focusing on phonics, math, and growth-based assessments, we canclimb into the Top 25 and give our children the future they deserve.” – Dr. JohnCox
3. Restoring Trust in Public EducationParents deserve transparency. Teachers deserve respect. Students deserve stability. Public trust in education has eroded after years of political battles, top-downmandates, and lack of accountability. Dr. Cox believes it’s time to restoreconfidence in our schools by giving families and communities a voice.
Dr. Cox’s Plan:
● Require transparency: every curriculum, book, and program should beaccessible to parents.
● Provide stability in education policy - no more whiplash with every electioncycle.
● Ensure accountability that focuses on children’s success, not politics.
● Strengthen local control so decisions reflect community values, notbureaucrats in Oklahoma City or Washington.“Parents are not obstacles; they’re partners. Transparency and trust are thekey to strong schools.” – Dr. John Cox
4. Support for TeachersTeachers are professionals, not test administrators. It’s time to let them teachagain.Oklahoma teachers are tired of being buried in paperwork and scriptedcurriculum. They entered the profession to inspire students - not to checkboxes. Dr. Cox will bring respect back to the teaching profession.
Dr. Cox’s Plan:
● Empower teachers with the freedom to teach creatively while holding highacademic standards.
● Cut bureaucracy so teachers can focus on students, not compliance.
● Invest in training and professional development - especially in reading andmath foundations.
● Restore respect and morale so Oklahoma can recruit and retain the besteducators.“Our teachers are professionals. It’s time to empower them to teach again,give them the tools they need, and let them do what they love best - helpingchildren succeed.” – Dr. John Cox
Media Inquiries Contact Elizabeth King, ek@kingprmarketing.com or 918-853-6771
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