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 | Dec 2, 2025Arizona AG Kris Mayes considering suing state schools chief Tom Horne over ESA auditing
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said she is considering filing a lawsuit over the auditing system the state uses to audit ESA purchases.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 2, 2025How English language students impact state letter grades for Arizona schools
Arizona education officials are taking a closer look at the impact of English language learners on the system that grades how schools are performing.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Dec 1, 2025Arizona’s postsecondary attainment isn’t filling our state’s job openings
Arizona's postsecondary attainment is still not high enough to fill the state's 80,000 jobs that require higher education, despite recent growth.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 25, 2025U.S. Department of Education to make moves that will impact Arizona’s school system
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is taking a step toward dismantling, and that will affect Arizona's school system.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 25, 2025Report: Most Arizona college students are meeting or exceeding civic education standards
An Arizona Board of Regents report shows about 86% of students across the state's three public universities meet civic education requirements.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 21, 2025Parents ask district to reconsider their plans to potentially close 2 Valley schools
In three weeks, the board of a Scottsdale school district will vote on whether to close two schools. Parents hope they stay open.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 20, 2025Kyrene School District hears from parents and students ahead of potential closures
Kyrene School District held its last public hearing on Wednesday before a Dec. 16 vote that could shut down eight district schools.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 20, 2025GCU scholarship program aims to bring graduates back as teachers at local schools
A scholarship program by Grand Canyon University called RISE 360 helps local students pursue education degrees so they can return to teach.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 19, 2025Wishes for Teachers program distributes $1.5M to hundreds of Arizona educators
The Fiesta Sports Foundation's Wishes for Teachers program handed out a total of $1.5 million to hundreds of Arizona educators on Tuesday.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 19, 2025Does Arizona’s ESA program cost $1 billion? Nonprofit clashes with officials over exact amount
A recent report claims the state’s school voucher program costs taxpayers $1 billion — but that contradicts Arizona Department of Education data.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 18, 2025New FAFSA scholarship to hand out $50,000 for Arizona high schoolers
A new FAFSA scholarship is available to encourage Arizona students to complete their college financial aid applications.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 14, 2025Parents, students, state lawmaker urge Scottsdale district to keep 2 schools open
Parents, students and a state lawmaker spoke out against the proposed closure of two Scottsdale schools during a hearing Thursday night.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 14, 2025Embry-Riddle empowers Prescott students to solve real-world aeronautical issues
Embry-Riddle has an Undergraduate Research Institute for students who want to do their own projects. One Prescott student explains the benefit.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 13, 2025Phoenix Union High School District announces it will cut 6% of its staff
The Phoenix Union High School District announced that it will have to cut 6% of its staff due to a $20 million budget shortfall caused by declining enrollment.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 13, 2025AI and ChatGPT are forcing Arizona teachers to rethink lessons
Arizona teachers are trying to find a balance between educating students about new technology like AI and making sure they’re not abusing it.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 12, 2025More than 1,000 teachers have left the classroom since July: How can we keep our teachers?
More than 1,000 Arizona teachers have left the profession since July with 763 resigning before the 2025-26 school year began, according to State Superintendent Tom Horne.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 11, 2025How Arizona’s school letter grade system gives ‘F’ earners opportunity for improvement
The number of Arizona schools that received an "F" letter grade doubled since last year, but that could open the door for state improvement funding.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 10, 2025Tolleson UHSD ballot items rejected by voters amid district audit
Two items that the Tolleson Union High School District had on the 2025 ballot were denied by voters amid a district audit.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 7, 2025Arizona educators learn how to teach young students about the Holocaust
Teachers from around Arizona recently attended a conference in Phoenix that trained them on how to teach students about the Holocaust.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 6, 2025Read to the Final Four contest begins, setting up March Madness bracket for schools to compete against each other
The Final Four reading contest ranks schools against each other in a March Madness style bracket for a chance to win money for literary programs.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 5, 2025Valley school superintendent speaks out about ‘disappointing’ denial of budget increase, bond
One Arizona school superintendent is speaking out, saying he is disappointed that voters denied a bond and budget increase in Tuesday's election.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 5, 2025Official says threats against teachers are becoming more common amid Arizona controversy
An Arizona Education Association official issued a warning after some Arizona teachers received death threats due to their Halloween costumes.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 4, 2025Mesa High School achieves top grade for first time in its history
Mesa High School has earned an "A" grade for the first time in its history, marking a major academic milestone.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Nov 3, 2025West-MEC looking to expand campuses with bonds on your ballot
West-MEC has two items on the Nov. 4 ballot: a $415 million bond proposal and a request to approve a real estate sale.