Over 1,000 Arizona teachers resigning plays a part in shortage

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. This is in addition to the 4,000 positions currently covered by long-term substitutes or other part-time methods, as well as the nearly 1,400 that are currently vacant due to Arizona’s ongoing teacher shortage.

According to Marisol Garcia, the president of the Arizona Education Association, the economy is one of the main factors in teachers’ decisions to leave. Horne called the issue “intolerable” in a statement and advocated for a reauthorization of Proposition 123 to include an increase to teachers’ salaries using state land trust funds.

Tom Horne, Superintendent of Public Instruction, joined “Arizona Horizon” to further discuss the ongoing teacher shortage in Arizona.