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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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%.
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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).
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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.
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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.