About
Shira Tanzer is the education solutions reporter for KTAR News 92.3 FM. She joined KTAR in 2021 and previously worked as a reporter for Cronkite News, the Jewish News, and interned at ABC15. Shira has lived in Arizona since 2013 and brings a strong focus to local education issues in her reporting. She’s also passionate about hockey, music and horseback riding. In 2024, she earned her degree from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
Expertise
- Education reporting
- Broadcast journalism
- Arizona local news
Education
- Arizona State University – Bachelor’s degree in Journalism (2024)
Certifications
- FAA Remote Pilot’s License
Achievements & Awards
- Reporter and anchor for Cronkite News
- Intern at ABC15 in Phoenix
Social Media Profiles
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 28, 2026New ASU medical school welcomes inaugural class, combining engineering and medicine
Students who graduate from the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering's four-year program will earn two degrees.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 25, 20261 in 10 Arizona schools could lose full letter grade with removal of bonus points
The Arizona State Board of Education voted unanimously to update the A-F system to make it more fair.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 24, 2026Teaching requirements for dual-language and CTE classes are getting stricter
The Arizona State Board of Education voted to approve changes to the Arizona Department of Education certification guidelines for teaching assignments at its meeting Monday.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 21, 2026Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego ready to ‘get into the fight’ against proposed changes to Head Start
The Democrat met Friday with local providers and parents who are worried about how federal officials want to alter the early learning and development program.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 18, 2026ESA reform Prop 212 won’t make Arizona voters’ ballot, per a court ruling
Prop 212, which would have put ESA limitations in front of voters, lacks enough valid signatures to qualify for the Arizona ballot.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 18, 2026Phoenix Children’s uses model patients to teach healthcare workers new skills
The mannequins have advanced anatomy and physiological responses that real patients would have.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 17, 2026NAACP to file complaint after Peoria Unified pulls books on people of color from K-8 classes
The West Valley NAACP is taking action after Peoria Unified cut Frederick Douglass, A Raisin in the Sun and Summer of the Mariposas from K-8.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 17, 2026New app helps Arizona ESA families check purchases, avoid fraud accusations
Pathfinder lets parents scan items to see if they're allowable under the Empowerment Scholarship Account program and tracks receipts for the state.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 13, 2026Dining hall workers suing ASU over First Amendment right to protest working conditions
Workers gathered outside of Gordon Commons on Thursday to share their thoughts on the issue and call for increased pay and healthcare.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 12, 2026Arizona ESA accountability proposition must be rewritten to be included on the ballot, judge rules
Judge ruled the measure's wording misleads voters by calling ESAs a 'school voucher program' and omits key provisions on enforcement and oversight.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 11, 2026Arizona health officials urge heat safety as students return to school
AZDHS says kids should hydrate before school, take shaded breaks and avoid peak heat during recess, sports and outdoor activities.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 11, 2026Better pay would be a start for fixing Arizona’s teacher shortage, but it’s not the only solution
Elected officials and teachers are looking for ways to correct the retention issue and stabilize the state's education system.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 10, 2026Phoenix students set to receive free meals with zero eligibility requirements
The Phoenix Union HSD will offer free breakfast and lunch at 17 of its 24 high schools through a federal program that requires no family applications.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 10, 2026How did Arizona wind up with a decade-long teacher shortage — with no end in sight?
Arizona has been facing a teacher shortage for years, with educators leaving the profession or state because of low salaries, high workloads and a variety of other factors.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 7, 2026Phoenix kindergarten teacher wins Pay Tribute to a Teacher award for August
Leighanne Harrison, who has been in the classroom for 30 years, said she will use her award money to help fund K-Kids programs in her community.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 5, 2026Arizona’s Democratic superintendent nominee wants public schools to get stockpiled ESA funds
"Wouldn't it be amazing if we took that money and invested it in our schools?" Teresa Leyba Ruiz said of the estimated $350 million in leftover voucher funds.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 29, 2026Peoria Unified governing board members deny accusations surrounding teacher sex case
Board members say the district did not withhold documents from police or ignore reports of alleged misconduct at Centennial High School.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 29, 2026More school closures could be coming in the West Valley
The Glendale Elementary School District is exploring the possibility of closing schools in response to projected enrollment declines.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 28, 2026Salt River Project offers Arizona teachers $400 classroom grants
Teachers can earn a grant by completing one of the public utility's education courses.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 28, 2026Wittmann English teacher wins ‘Pay Tribute to a Teacher’ award for July
The award sponsored by Your Valley Toyota Dealers gives a deserving teacher $2,500 each month.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 27, 2026Peoria Unified adds new hotline for students to report questionable behavior
The district is adding safety measures with the school year starting next week amid an ongoing police investigation.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 27, 2026Arizona governor hopeful Andy Biggs says more funding doesn’t mean better schools
The Republican nominee said he talked to Louisiana and Mississippi officials about how their states improved student performance.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 24, 2026Sen. Mark Kelly proposes 2 bills to support young men and grow public service
"It's becoming more rare today to have men in the classroom," the Democrat said. He's hoping to change that.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 24, 2026Kimberly Yee outlines education priorities after GOP primary win
"We have those choices and they're all awesome. But what we want to really focus on is the academics," the state treasurer told Mike Broomhead.