As of January, there were nearly 2,900 teaching positions open in the state, according to a survey by the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association.
Gov. Katie Hobbs is launching a survey to study why teachers are leaving the state in such large numbers that it has caused a shortage.
“Having real voices of educators speak directly to it so we can stop with the political, kind of, football,” said Marisol Garcia is the president of the Arizona Education Association. “But refocus on why public schools and public education is the most important priority of this state.”
Garcia said allowing current and former teachers to voice their concerns is the right move.
“Right now educators have to bargain for lunch, duty-free lunch,” she said. “That may be something that can be codified in the law.”
Garcia said teachers are essential to their communities and the workforce. The survey’s results, she said, may help Hobbs take some action to help them.
“The survey will turn into some really good data that we can use to create policy she’ll be able to bring to the Legislature, that might be fixable quickly,” Garcia said.
The survey will be available through Aug. 31, and the results will be analyzed in October.
