Arizona's Education Crisis: Overworked and Underpaid Teachers and Principals Need Systemic Change Now

Teachers and principals in Arizona are at their breaking point, overworked, underpaid, and expected to perform impossible tasks with minimal support. The state is facing a severe crisis in education, with a shortage of both teachers and administrators reflecting broader issues nationwide. Despite various attempts to address this problem, including small pay raises and new leadership programs, these efforts fail to tackle the core issues: educators are burned out, undervalued, and overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations.

Arizona, like many states, is experiencing a mass exodus of both teachers and school administrators. A 2023 survey revealed that nearly 25% of Arizona’s teaching positions were unfilled at the start of the school year . The state also faces a significant number of principal and assistant principal vacancies, reflecting the growing unwillingness of qualified professionals to step into roles where the demands are so high and the rewards are so low.

Principals in Arizona are expected to juggle roles that stretch far beyond education. On any given day, they might be required to serve lunch due to cafeteria staff shortages, handle student health emergencies when a nurse is unavailable, or mediate disputes between staff, students, and parents . They’re also on the front lines of political battles over curriculum, student rights, and other hot-button issues that add to an already overwhelming workload.

These conditions are driving away talented individuals who might otherwise be interested in becoming principals. The issue isn’t just that there aren’t enough qualified candidates; it’s that the demands and risks associated with these roles are so extreme that many simply refuse to step into them. Why take on a job where the expectations are nearly impossible to meet, the pay is inadequate, and the stress levels are through the roof? 

The current political climate only exacerbates the situation. Arizona, like many states, has seen a rise in politically charged debates over education, from book bans to curriculum disputes . Principals find themselves caught in the middle of these conflicts, often risking their careers and safety by taking a stand on these issues. The hostility directed at school leaders, combined with the daily pressures of managing a school, makes these positions unappealing for many who would otherwise be strong candidates.

The real solution requires significant increases in funding, not just for salary adjustments but to fully staff schools with the support roles necessary to relieve principals of some of their overwhelming responsibilities. Band-aid solutions like small pay bumps or leadership training programs are not enough. Arizona schools need more resources, better staffing, and policies that protect educators from the toxic environment that now surrounds many school issues.

Fixing this crisis isn’t just about filling vacant positions; it’s about creating conditions where school leaders can genuinely succeed. Until Arizona policymakers acknowledge that the state’s education system is woefully underfunded and that those leading it are undervalued, schools and students will continue to suffer. The education system cannot function effectively when its leaders are left to manage insurmountable challenges with insufficient support.

References:

1. Arizona Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Report 2023.  

2. Personal interviews with Arizona principals.  

3. Arizona School Administrators Association, “Impact of Political Climate on School Leadership,” 2023.