KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2025 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

AZ education group president: Teacher salary increases are not enough to address shortage

A new  survey shows Arizona school districts have nearly 3,000 open teacher positions statewide. 

One way the Legislature is addressing the shortage is by proposing a salary increase. 

But Arizona Education Association president Marisol Garcia says raises for teachers will not fully address the problem. 

“Every front office worker, cafeteria worker, janitor, they are seen in parity with us and they keep the schools open, so we need to talk about raises for them. That would alleviate a lot of the stressors happening on educators," Garcia said. 

Garcia says educators having to take on more than just their contractual duties has also caused a lack of retention.

Jill Ryan joined KJZZ in 2020 as a morning reporter, and she is currently a field correspondent and Morning Edition producer.