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 | Oct 29, 2026What’s on your ballot? Prop 318 would restrict transgender athletes in Arizona schools
The measure known as the Protect Girls’ Sports in Arizona Act would require K-12 schools to designate sports teams on the basis of biological sex.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 29, 20262026 Arizona letter grades are out: Percentage of schools getting D’s or F’s rises
When schools get D or F grades, the Arizona Department of Education or the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools works directly with them to improve their results.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 28, 202626 Phoenix-area school districts asking voters to approve bonds, overrides, property sales
Tuesday's election will determine if some districts, including Peoria Unified, have to cut their operating budgets.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 23, 2026KTAR’s October ‘Pay Tribute to a Teacher’ award goes to Gilbert first-grade teacher
Candice Smith, who is in her 23rd year of teaching, said she will use the prize money to help fund classroom projects or the art club she runs at school.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 21, 2026New state assessment program helps Arizona teachers use data to personalize lessons
NAVVY+ is an online platform that allows districts to conduct assessments and use the results to adjust curriculum to improve standardized test scores.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 19, 2026$600,000 NASA grant to help Arizona universities teach AI for aerospace jobs
Embry-Riddle and the University of Arizona will split the funding, with students in Prescott helping faculty shape how AI fits into future classes.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 16, 2026Arizona Supreme Court approves GCU College of Law without ABA accreditation
For the first time in state history, the Arizona Supreme Court is allowing graduates of a law school without ABA accreditation to seek admission to the State Bar of Arizona after passing the bar exam.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 15, 2026Peoria Unified faces $650K claim over alleged sexual misconduct by Mr. ORNG
The claim alleges district employees ignored concerns about Patrick Batillo, also known as Suns superfan Mr. ORNG, and were negligent in hiring him.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 14, 2026Scottsdale Unified would have to cut $14.9M in non-classroom spending if Prop 320 passes
Spending on guidance counselors, speech pathologists, nurses, social workers, building maintenance, security and other budget items would be at risk if Arizona voters approve the spending measure.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 12, 2026Peoria Unified Governing Board reports possible confidential information breach
Heather Rooks came forward to defend herself when the issue was brought up during Thursday's meeting.
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ARIZONA ELECTION NEWS | Oct 8, 2026What’s on your ballot: Prop 320 would force certain schools to spend more in classrooms
Supporters say the ballot measure would increase teacher pay, but opponents say districts would lose local control and be forced to cut important services.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 7, 2026Here are all the Phoenix-area schools closed since 2024 or scheduled for closure
Over two dozen Valley campuses were shut down or repurposed in recent years, and more are scheduled to end operations in the future.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 7, 2026Arizona expands aerospace and defense training with new $6.4 million facility
The $6.4 million Future48 facility at Chandler-Gilbert Community College will train up to 1,000 students a year for Arizona aerospace and defense jobs.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 6, 2026Scottsdale Unified approves closure of two schools amid declining enrollment
The governing board voted 3-2 to shut down Copper Ridge K-8 School and Laguna Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 6, 2026Higher education could bring Arizona $11.1 billion in economic gains, report finds
A Helios report estimates the gain if 60% of Arizona’s 2026 high school graduates earn a degree or certificate to help meet workforce needs.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 5, 2026ASU program helping local businesses cut costs gets five-year expansion
The Department of Energy is providing $13 million to ITAC centers at universities around the country, including here in Arizona.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 2, 2026Scottsdale Unified broke open meeting law during school closure process, prosecutors say
The district's board will vote Oct. 6 on closures. Parents say the committee overlooked financial data and alternatives to shutting down area schools.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 1, 2026Peoria Unified governing board members clash over teacher sex scandal
The current and former board presidents failed to find much common ground during an exclusive joint interview.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 30, 2026Peoria Unified School District faces new claim accusing Haley Beck of grooming
A former Centennial High School student is seeking $7 million from the district for failing to protect him from exploitation.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 29, 2026State lawmakers want ABOR to investigate what happened to ASU hockey player
Rep. Matt Gress and Sen. Hildy Angius want the board to hire an independent investigator to get answers about the incident that left Matthew Mayich on life support.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 25, 2026UofA fraternity suspended after allegedly forcing new members to eat live goldfish
The Tucson school told Sigma Tau Gamma it "presents a substantial risk to members of the university community."
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 24, 2026Would Prop 320 increase teacher pay or cut funding from schools?
Proposition 320 would require districts with 7,500+ students and those in Maricopa and Pinal counties to spend 60% on classroom instruction.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 24, 2026AZ Department of Education receives $5M federal grant to train special education teachers
The funding will expand Arizona's teacher apprenticeship program, providing classroom experience and mentorship for future special education teachers.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 22, 2026Parents ask Scottsdale Unified Governing Board to choose least impactful school closure option
The board is considering three closure options involving seven district schools after reporting the total capacity for the schools at 7,194 students, while only 3,296 are currently enrolled.