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
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 14, 2026Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says Republicans should be ‘embarrassed’ by ESA program costs
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said Republicans should be “embarrassed” about how much taxpayer money the state's ESA school voucher program wastes.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 9, 2026Board of West Valley district takes step toward potential closure of 2 schools
The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board on Thursday got the ball rolling on the potential closure of two schools with lagging enrollment.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 8, 2026Arizona appeals court partially revives lawsuit about transgender students’ identity
The Arizona Court of Appeals issued a ruling last week that revived part of a lawsuit regarding transgender students’ identity being revealed to parents.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 6, 20262 more suburban Phoenix districts consider school closures as downsizing trend continues
Two more Valley districts are considering school closure plans, with a total of three campuses potentially on the chopping block.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 6, 2026Supt. Tom Horne says he might seek extra requirement from Arizona’s ESA vendors
Arizona's superintendent of public instruction said he might ask the Legislature to change one requirement for certain ESA vendors.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 5, 2026Arizona teachers face difficult decisions about careers due to low pay
While lawmakers wrangle over ways to increase teacher pay, some Arizona educators find themselves facing difficult decisions about how they make a living.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 2, 2026ASU annual research funding reaches $1 billion mark for 1st time
Arizona State University reached a major milestone with $1 billion for research funding recorded in fiscal year 2024.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 30, 2025Arizona education in 2025: The biggest shifts shaping schools and students across the state
Here is a roundup of the top Arizona education news stories of 2025. Budget shortfalls, school vouchers and closures impacted Arizona schools.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 29, 20252026 Arizona education bills target school safety, superintendent salary transparency
Two new education bills are on the table for the upcoming session of the Arizona Legislature, focusing on accountability and school safety.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 26, 2025Arizona education nonprofit chosen as 2026 Microsoft TechSpark fellow
Arizona nonprofit Fresh Start Foundation was selected as a Microsoft TechSpark fellow for 2026, a program that helps women re-ignite their careers.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 24, 2025Arizona students design Christmas ornaments for White House tree
Fifth-grade students at American Leadership Academy (ALA) West Foothills designed Christmas ornaments that are hanging at the White House.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 23, 2025US Department of Education gives Arizona $11 million for literacy development
The Arizona Education Foundation (AEF) is receiving an $11.5-million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a statewide literacy development program.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 22, 2025Arizona lawmaker to push wide-ranging education reform effort in 2026
When Arizona’s next legislative session begins Jan. 12, the school system will be the subject of a proposed education reform effort.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 19, 202517,000 students graduated from Arizona’s public universities in December
This month more than 17,000 college students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas from the three Arizona public universities.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 17, 2025Parents have mixed reactions to Kyrene School District Board voting to close 6 schools
Parents have issued a mixed reaction after the Kyrene School District voted to close six schools over the next two years on Tuesday night.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 16, 2025Kyrene School District votes to close 6 schools as enrollment declines
Facing declining enrollment and funding, the Kyrene School District Governing Board voted to close six schools over the next two years.
-
ARIZONA ELECTION NEWS | Dec 16, 2025WATCH: 8 Kyrene schools could be shut down in board vote
Tonight at 6 p.m., the Kyrene School District governing board will vote on closing up to eight schools due to budget issues and declining enrollment.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 16, 2025Arizona ESA students can’t play public school sports, but new bill would change that
An Arizona lawmaker wants to let students who use ESAs compete alongside their public school peers in sports if they pay their share.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 15, 2025Scottsdale Community College credits 24% retention rate increase to program for new students
Scottsdale Community College is crediting its first-year experience program with a 24% increase in the school's retention rate.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 12, 2025Arizona education board approves removal of DEI language to comply with Trump order
Arizona State Board of Education voted to remove DEI language from two policy documents that provide guidance to teachers.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 10, 2025Parents concerned about classroom overcrowding after board votes to close 2 Scottsdale schools
Two school closures were approved by board members with the Scottsdale Unified School District on Tuesday. Some parents are now scrambling.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 5, 2025Phoenix high school district cuts staff by 6%, minorities most affected, educator says
On Thursday, the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) governing board voted 5-1 to eliminate 167 positions, reducing staff by 6%.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 4, 2025Career training programs at stake in lawsuit by 9 Valley school districts against EVIT
With their career training programs at risk, nine Phoenix-area school districts filed a lawsuit against the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT).
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 3, 2025Arizona lawmakers at odds over impact of US Department of Education dismantling
As the U.S. Department of Education begins to be dismantled, two state lawmakers disagree on the impact the closure will have in Arizona.