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 | Mar 6, 2026ESA fraud charges being referred to metro Phoenix prosecutors for potential charges
The Arizona Department of Education has been referring ESA fraud cases to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office as well as the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Mar 6, 2026Could helping schools understand Arizona education policy change classrooms for the better?
A new education program called Permission Granted is working to clarify state policy and how it could be applied in the classroom.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Mar 4, 2026Phoenix school locked down for reported gun on campus
Sunland STEAM Academy was placed on lockdown Wednesday morning after a student reported a weapon on campus.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Mar 4, 2026Proposed Arizona ballot referral would block teachers unions from organizing on campus
Arizona voters might be asked to ban school districts from using public money and resources to support teachers unions.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Mar 3, 2026GCU helping Arizonans enter semiconductor industry through free program with TSMC
GCU is partnering with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. for a free course that could end in a job offer with TSMC Arizona.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Mar 2, 2026Can Arizona boost 3rd grade reading proficiency from 36% to 72% in just 4 years?
Only 36% of Arizona third graders are reading proficiently, according to the Arizona Progress Meter. What can be changed to boost that percentage?
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 26, 2026Is Arizona’s ESA school voucher program neglecting students it was created for?
Some parents and experts say Arizona's school voucher expansion has made it harder on the original ESA beneficiaries: students with disabilities.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 25, 2026Arizona Republican introduces bill that would create school voucher-like tax credit
The Arizona Legislature is considering a bill that would create a tax credit for families with students who don't go to public schools or receive ESA voucher funds.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 20, 2026Peoria Unified parents concerned about how proposed school closures might affect services
The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board heard from the community Thursday night ahead of the potential closure of two K-8 schools.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 19, 2026How Arizona’s decline in cigarette smoking is costly to its early childhood education agency
Arizona’s early childhood agency is reliant on tobacco taxes, so funding is falling as cigarette smoking declines.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 17, 2026New legislation could limit teachers’ ability to protest — and their privacy
Two lawmakers are working to pass legislation that would limit teachers’ ability to protest during school hours. Here are the details.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 16, 2026East Valley school for neurodivergent kids boosts students’ confidence through basketball
PS Academy, a Gilbert school, is helping neurodivergent students gain more confidence with every dribble of a basketball.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 13, 2026Alhambra district still faces budget shortfall after decision to close two schools
The Alhambra Elementary School District's decision to close two schools won't completely solve its budget shortfall, the Phoenix district's superintendent said.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 13, 2026Phoenix Union board member steps down amid calls for his resignation
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board member Jeremiah Cota submitted his resignation on Friday amid calls for him to step down.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 13, 2026Leader of Arizona ESA accountability initiative says she doesn’t want to end school vouchers
One of the leaders of a group trying to rein in Arizona's school voucher program said she doesn't want to eliminate ESAs.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 12, 2026Phoenix district votes to close 2 schools, including campus for immigrant students
The Alhambra Elementary School District voted Thursday to close two Phoenix schools this summer due to low enrollment and budget concerns.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 11, 2026Paradise Valley Unified superintendent fired after allegedly lying on job application
The Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to terminate the contract of Superintendent Todd Cummings.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 11, 2026ASU is helping state’s academics, teacher shortage using data from struggling schools
ASU is partnering with education officials to offset the state’s public school teacher shortage and improve academic performance.
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ARIZONA ELECTION NEWS | Feb 10, 2026Arizona schools again face threat of lost federal funding over DEI initiatives
New federal guidance means Arizona schools that don’t comply with anti-DEI policies will lose funding, despite a recent court ruling to the contrary.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 9, 2026Ballot measure filed in effort to alter Arizona’s school voucher program
Accountability for Arizona’s school voucher program could be on your November ballot after a new voter initiative was filed last week.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 9, 2026Number of Arizona school districts at high financial risk levels doubles over last year
The number of Arizona school districts whose finances are considered high risk or approaching high risk doubled over the past year.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 6, 2026Republican state lawmakers condemn teachers who called out sick for ICE protests
Republican state lawmakers are speaking out against teachers who called out sick last week as part of a nationwide protest against ICE actions.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 5, 2026Hundreds call for Phoenix school board member to resign over his controversial political ties
Hundreds of people in the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) are calling for governing board member Jeremiah Cota to resign.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 4, 2026Who is running to be Arizona’s next superintendent of public instruction?
Here's a look at what the 2026 candidates for Arizona superintendent of public instruction think are the top education issues.