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 | 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.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 7, 2026Plaintiffs dropping lawsuit against Arizona transgender athlete law, Horne says
The plaintiffs who sued to block an Arizona law banning transgender girls from girls’ school sports teams are dropping their lawsuit, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 7, 2026TSMC Arizona interns teach local Boys & Girls Club kids about semiconductor industry
TSMC Arizona and the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley recently partnered on a new event designed to teach children about the semiconductor industry.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 6, 2026Peoria Unified School District served with search warrant related to teacher sex scandal
Police served a search warrant Monday related to its investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against two Peoria Unified School District teachers.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 6, 2026Arizona student leaders prepare to pass AI policy that could be utilized in Arizona schools
Two Mountain Ridge High School students will represent Arizona at a Boston fellowship this month, helping draft a national AI policy.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 2, 2026ESA accountability initiative turned in with 150,000 more signatures than required
Save Our Schools Arizona and the Arizona Education Association submitted signatures Thursday morning for an ESA accountability initiative.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jul 1, 2026Chandler multi-media teacher wins ‘Pay Tribute to a Teacher’ award for June
The KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos “Pay Tribute to a Teacher” award for June went to Glenda Skalitzky, a multi-media and film teacher at Basha High School in Chandler.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 26, 2026Lawsuits filed against 2 more education-related ballot measures from Arizona lawmakers
Two more lawsuits have been filed challenging the legality of education-related measures referred to Arizona's November ballot by Republican lawmakers.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 25, 2026Lawsuit seeks to block Republican measure that could void ESA accountability initiative
The teacher-backed groups trying to reform Arizona's ESA program filed a lawsuit to block a competing ballot measure referred by Republican lawmakers.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 24, 2026Peoria Unified says recent Centennial High School resignations are unrelated to teacher sex scandal
The recent resignations of two Centennial High School administrators are not related to a teacher sex scandal at the Peoria campus.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 23, 2026Artificial intelligence coming to Arizona’s ESA school voucher system
Arizona’s ESA program is getting some technical upgrades with the help of artificial intelligence.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 22, 2026Arizona voters will decide if schools must spend at least 60% of budget in classroom
Arizona voters will get to decide if public schools have to spend certain level of their operating budgets in the classroom each year.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 22, 2026Arizona’s 2027 budget eliminates millions in education funding, state universities included
Education funding in Arizona fell for fiscal year 2027 after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the new state budget, with free school meals not falling by the wayside.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 18, 2026Arizona Republican governor hopefuls debate about future of school vouchers
The four Republican gubernatorial candidates argued in support of the state's school voucher program during their debate.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 17, 2026Analysis of Arizona ESA data shows participation tilts toward high-income ZIP codes
A new analysis found that students from high-income ZIP codes are enrolled in Arizona's school voucher program at a higher rate than students from low-income postal zones.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 16, 20261 Arizona ESA reform initiative ends campaign to qualify for November ballot
The organizers of one Arizona ESA reform initiative stopped collecting signatures, dropping their effort to get it on the November ballot.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 15, 2026Arizona Republicans ask voters to block teacher-backed ESA accountability initiative
Arizona Republican lawmakers referred a ballot measure that could potentially render a teacher-backed ESA accountability initiative void.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 12, 2026Hobbs says state budget will fully fund schools despite not including Prop 123 renewal
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said despite a stalemate when it comes to boosting teacher salaries, the state’s K-12 schools will remain fully funded.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 12, 2026Arizona Talks works to increase and showcase speech and debate clubs at state high schools
Arizona Talks is launching the Civic Action Network, an initiative to expand speech and debate programs and showcase local talent.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 11, 2026Arizona students may be able to leave school for religious instruction soon
Arizona lawmakers passed a bill allowing students to leave school for religious instruction. The measure now heads to Governor Hobbs for a final decision.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 11, 2026Arizona approves $78.7M in school safety grants, turns down over $100M in requests
The Arizona State Board of Education recently awarded nearly $79 million in school safety grants but had to turn down over $100 million in requests.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 10, 2026State budget deal lacks Prop 123 funding mechanism, additional ESA program staff
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs made Proposition 123 a major issue during state budget talks, but the education funding mechanism didn't make the cut.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jun 10, 2026New study finds Arizona colleges may not be preparing teachers to help English learners read
A new study from the National Council on Teacher Quality shows Arizona colleges’ teacher prep programs may not provide adequate focus on teaching English language learners how to read.