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 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.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 23, 2026Making shopping for back-to-school supplies easier for Phoenix-area parents
QR codes and a backpack giveaway can help families get ready for the start of classes.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 21, 2026Arizona voters to choose Republican and Democratic nominees for top education position
Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is facing Kimberly Yee in the Republican primary, while Teresa Ruiz and Brett Newby are battling it out on the Democratic side.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 20, 2026Former Mesa High School official claims that an inaccurate police report destroyed his career
David Klecka filed a $750,000 notice of claim against the city alleging that a police report about a fight on campus wasn't accurate and contributed to him losing his job as athletic director and assistant principal.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 17, 2026Peoria Unified names new principal for school at center of teacher sex scandal
Board votes 3-2 to promote Darien Schoolcraft from assistant principal and athletic director of Centennial High School to principal.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 17, 2026ASU students collaborate with Disney on secret project for Mickey Mouse’s 100th birthday
“It genuinely felt like a childhood dream was coming true,” said Arizona State industrial design major NinaPearl Hamel.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 16, 2026Arizona school letter grades don’t reflect actual performance, Auditor General says
A new report finds the A-F grading system allows schools to earn top marks without demonstrating academic proficiency, prompting calls for reform.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 15, 2026What can Arizona schools change to address teacher retention crisis?
The Arizona Department of Education conducted a survey to learn more about what educators like and dislike about their job in an attempt to figure out how to keep them from leaving.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 14, 2026East Valley students start heading back to class for 2026-27 school year
Chandler Unified kicks off Wednesday, while more Phoenix-area districts start next week and in early August.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 14, 2026Judge sides with Arizona treasurer in ESA public records lawsuit filed by Phoenix TV station
12News tried getting ESA spending information through a public records lawsuit against state Treasurer Kimberly Yee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 13, 2026Peoria Unified says it would have provided documents included in 2nd search warrant
The Peoria Unified School District has been served two search warrants as part of an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against two former teachers.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 13, 2026Arizona Attorney General, Goldwater Institute settle ESA purchase justification lawsuit
The Arizona Attorney General's Office has settled a lawsuit over how certain Empowerment Scholarship Account purchases are reported by parents.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 9, 2026Roosevelt School District drops Cesar Chavez name, approves Rio Vista in unanimous vote
The Roosevelt School District voted unanimously to rename Cesar Chavez Community School to Rio Vista after sexual abuse allegations against Chavez.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 9, 2026Arizona students are losing foundational literacy skills as technology takes over
The increase of technology in classrooms is taking away core literacy skills from the next generation of Arizona students.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 8, 2026Court says 9 districts can spend career and tech education funds without EVIT oversight
A judge ruled that nine school districts can control how they can spend certain funds received through EVIT for career and technical education.