Case Study: Battling Arizona’s Teacher Shortage 

Teacher vacancies have been rising for nearly a decade in Arizona. In the 2023-24 school year, there were 7,518 teacher openings in the Grand Canyon State, according to the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association. Of those, 30% remained unfilled, and 53% were filled with teachers who did not meet the minimum requirements for state certification. 

As Arizona grapples with the shortages, Moreland University is partnering with schools and districts across the state to help teachers earn professional certifications and master’s degrees. Moreland is an approved Educator Preparation Program in Arizona, which gives teachers a streamlined 9-month path to certification. 

“Having gone through the Moreland program, it is worth your time,” said Rhonda Villaverde, an Arizona STEM teacher who went through Moreland to earn her certification and M.Ed. with a focus on educational technology. “It will improve upon your knowledge, and you’ll be able to understand how to provide and reach those students who are difficult to reach.” 

Turning to Career Changers 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an average of 3,600 open jobs every year for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers in the Grand Canyon State. As the demand grows for teachers, school leaders are increasingly turning to career changers and alternative certification methods. 

In 2024, Moreland partnered with Arizona State University for a survey of alternatively licensed teachers in the state as well as the administrators and HR leaders who support them. The survey asked about the most common career paths before teaching, and the top three responses were: paraprofessional, instructional aide, or other teaching assistant; career changer from another field; and substitute teacher. 

Take Orlando Rodriquez, who found his way to the classroom through the baseball field. He was coaching at a high school near Phoenix when a spot opened up for a special education teacher. 

Rodriquez went through Moreland to earn his Arizona teacher certification along with his M.Ed., with a focus on special education. Moreland has helped him make sure he’s accommodating and modifying his lessons for his students’ needs, he said. 

“I’ve learned to adapt my teaching style,” he said. “To look at certain assignments or certain lessons outside of the box and say, ‘Hey, I didn’t think about it this way,’ or, ‘I could go this route.’” 

Rodriquez was already the first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Now, he’s the first with a master’s as well. 

Villaverde, the STEM teacher, was a business major who transitioned to teaching when she realized the impact she could have on students. 

“It’s been really neat to see my students grab ahold of information and be able to work with tools and technology that they wouldn’t have had an opportunity [to use otherwise],” she said. “I feel like Moreland has given me the tools to help further their experience and education — and my education — in the classroom.” 

Arizona music teacher Carisa Frisby was teaching full-time when she went through Moreland to earn her professional certification and then her master’s degree in educational research. 

“What I loved the most about Moreland University was the fact that they were very flexible and the instructors were very, very supportive and very informative,” Frisby said. “Whenever I had questions, they were available and would respond almost immediately.”

Our Arizona District Partners 

Moreland partners with more than 15 school districts in Arizona. Our TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is fully accredited, 100% online, and can be completed in 9 months. Clinical learning (student teaching) is included.  

“The TEACH-NOW program offers a structured yet flexible pathway to certification that meets the diverse needs of our educators,” said Stacy Howell, Director of Talent Acquisition and Employee Services for Casa Grande Elementary School District #4. “The program’s focus on practical application, combined with the expert guidance from Moreland’s team, enables our teachers to achieve their certification goals efficiently.”

Moreland is a great option for teachers in Arizona’s rural areas, where commuting for an EPP while teaching full-time would be a challenge.  

 “Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW program and master’s degrees are a helpful and important resource for Snowflake USD,” said Tohna Rogers, an administrative assistant for Snowflake Unified. “The program’s accessible online platform is ideal for our rural district in Arizona, providing a comprehensive curriculum for teachers’ growth and development with a clear and efficient pathway to certification.” 

Partner with Us 

We partner with schools and districts across Arizona to help teachers earn professional certifications and master’s degrees. If more than 30 teachers in your district need a professional certification, Moreland will offer a discounted tuition rate.