Jennifer Gresko, faculty chair of educator preparation program
An Arizona task force, including Rio Salado’s own Jennifer Gresko, announced recommendations to address the statewide teacher shortage late last year.
Gresko, Rio Salado’s faculty chair of educator preparation program, was asked to join Gov. Katie Hobbs’ Educator Retention Task Force in 2023. The group’s 11-point recommendation report focused on the need to increase not just pay and benefits for Arizona teachers, but to build more support systems for them as well.
"Serving on the Task Force was a valuable experience,” Gresko said. “I am appreciative that our state is looking closely at the working conditions of educators and recommending areas for supporting educators."
The work done by the taskforce was supported by a survey of nearly 9,600 current and former educators, as well as education support staff. Of the current educators, 69 percent said they have considered leaving the profession in the last year.
"The input from educators in the field was critical for informing the recommendations being made,” Gresko said. “Those serving on the Task Force were strategically appointed for their area of expertise. The combination made for important conversations for acknowledging the importance and love of teaching with the ability for teachers to support their families."
Arizona ranks second to last in terms of wage competitiveness for educators and one of the highest turnover rates in the country, the report notes. All this led to nearly 68 percent of teaching positions in fall 2022 to be either vacant or filled by someone who did not meet Arizona’s standard teacher requirements, according to the report.
The full report can be found on the governor’s website.
Stories about the task force findings and recommendations appeared in a number of Arizona media.
Governor’s task force issues recommendations for retaining teachers
Task force: Pay Arizona teachers more & provide support or they’ll keep quitting
Hobbs, key lawmaker optimistic Arizona will raise teacher pay
Governor’s task force suggests raising Arizona teacher pay, but the funding source is unclear
Rio Salado College’s Educator Preparation Program is an Arizona State Department of Education approved provider for various levels of teacher certification. The college also launched a bachelor’s degree this fall that provides dual certification in elementary education and special education.
Learn more about options on how to become a teacher in Arizona from Rio Salado’s blog or hear straight from Rio Salado graduates.