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Before Arizona can fix its teacher recruitment issues, they have to address an even bigger problem: the fact that almost half of all teachers quit within three years. Some leave to teach in states with higher salaries, while others leave the profession entirely. While community organizations can't fix the pay or funding, they can support early-career teachers and give them the resources they need in order to stay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arizona's schools are in trouble. Why? They can't recruit enough teachers, and often, they can't retain the ones they do hire. Many classrooms are led by teachers with emergency certification. A large number of teachers are nearing retirement age -- and there isn't a corps of qualified replacements lined up. In a state that ranks near the bottom for per-pupil spending, nonprofits and community colleges are the only things keeping Arizona's kids from falling off the education cliff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.