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 | Feb 3, 2026Mesa Public Schools leases vacant space to local private school for kids with autism
Mesa Public Schools is putting unused space at two campuses to good use by leasing it to a local private school that serves children with autism.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | Jan 30, 2026Students from around 30 Valley schools stage walkout as part of nationwide anti-ICE protests
Students at about 30 high schools across the Valley are walking out of class Friday as a part of nationwide anti-ICE protests.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 30, 2026Why are Arizona families moving their kids from public to private schools?
A growing number of Arizona families are moving their kids from public to private schools for a variety of reasons.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 28, 2026Phoenix Union reminds families about remote learning options amid ICE activity
The Phoenix Union High School District is reminding students concerned about immigration raids they have the option to log into class remotely.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 27, 2026Gilbert, Balsz school districts vote to close schools before 2026-27 year
The Gilbert Public Schools governing board approved the closure of Pioneer Elementary School Tuesday, shutting the school down before the 2026-27 school year.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 23, 2026Phoenix district weighs closure of 2 schools, including campus for immigrant students
The Alhambra Elementary School District is considering closing two Phoenix schools this summer due to low enrollment and budget concerns.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 23, 2026Arizona schools no longer face threat of lost federal funding over DEI language
The threat of $866 million in lost federal funding if Arizona schools did not comply with anti-DEI policies is no longer on the table.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 20, 20262026 State of Education address covers increasing school resource officers, teacher pay
Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne's State of Education address on Tuesday focused on school safety, teacher pay, literacy rates and DEI policies throughout the state.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 20, 2026Could paid parental leave for Arizona educators improve teacher shortages?
Arizona does not offer guaranteed paid parental leave for teachers, and that could be contributing to the state’s teacher shortage.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 19, 2026Arizona high schoolers could receive free spring training tickets by completing the FAFSA form
Arizona high schoolers who love baseball are in luck. If they complete their FAFSA, they could be eligible for free spring training tickets. Here's why.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 16, 2026Large East Valley school district cutting 90 jobs, with more expected
The Chandler Unified School District is cutting dozens of jobs for the 2026-27 school year as it works to close a $12 million budget deficit.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 15, 2026Phoenix school district switching back to 5-day week despite teacher opposition
Despite teacher opposition, a Phoenix school district is switching back to a five-day week after several years on a four-day model.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.