PHOENIX — A new report from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) reveals that 1,055 teachers have resigned statewide since July 1, worsening Arizona’s ongoing educator shortage.
The report also shows that more than 4,200 teaching positions remain vacant, with most being temporarily filled by substitutes, existing teachers, or part-time staff.
According to ADE, about 30% of the vacant positions are covered by long-term substitutes, nearly 24% by teachers working through their planning periods, and around 23% by temporary agency personnel. Roughly 1,400 positionsremain completely unfilled.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne called the situation “intolerable” and said low pay and a lack of administrative support for classroom discipline continue to drive teachers away. He said better compensation and stronger backing from administrators are key to keeping educators in classrooms.
Lawmakers discussed using funds from the State Land Trust through a Proposition 123 proposal to raise teacher pay earlier this year, but the effort failed to pass.
To address the shortage, some school districts are expanding “Grow Your Own” educator programs, which allow individuals with bachelor’s degrees in other fields to train as teachers while working in schools.
In the Dysart Unified School District, 45 people are currently enrolled in its Ready2Teach program, which combines classroom-based training with 150 hours of professional development. The program recently expanded to include general education training in addition to special education.
Participants, like Naeli Ortiz, a sixth-grade teacher and mother returning to the workforce, said the experience has been rewarding and has reignited their passion for education.
Statewide, the number of “Grow Your Own” programs has expanded from five programs across three districts in 2021to 50 programs in 22 districts today. ADE also recently launched a teacher apprenticeship initiative with several districts to help increase the number of qualified educators in Arizona schools over the next few years.
