Media Advisory: College of Education Workforce Conference will convene future educators and potential employers in Southern Arizona

Feb. 3, 2026

Media Advisory: College of Education Workforce Conference will convene future educators and potential employers in Southern Arizona

What: College of Education's fourth annual Workforce Conference
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7
Where: College of Education, 1430 E. Second St., Room 211
Media RSVP: College of Education interim dean Regina Deil-Amen, as well as at least one student studying to be a teacher, will be available for brief interviews during the conference. Media who wish to attend can RSVP via email to Romi Carrell Wittman, rwittman@arizona.edu.

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona College of Education will convene local school officials, education experts and students at its fourth annual workforce conference, allowing prospective teachers to connect with their potential future employers.

The conference will also allow non-teaching majors to explore education-related careers outside the traditional classroom setting.

The event is central to the College of Education's ongoing efforts to help boost teacher recruitment and retention in Arizona. Following a survey of teachers last year, the state Department of Education said Arizona's shortage was "still at a crisis point," with more than 4,000 teaching positions vacant.

The College of Education expects about 170 of its graduates in May to enter careers as educators, either as classroom teachers or other support staff working directly with students.

"Our College of Education graduates are in high demand," said interim dean Regina Deil-Amen. "Students finish our programs fully ready to teach in early childhood centers, elementary, middle, or high schools, and nearly all have a job before they graduate."

Guest speakers at the conference will include leaders and staff from school districts and education-focused organizations across Southern Arizona. Students will have the opportunity to connect with education professionals in breakout rooms. Districts and organizations to be represented include:

Amphitheater Public Schools
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Catalina Foothills School District
Children's Museum Tucson
Flowing Wells Unified School District
Marana Unified School District
Pima County Public Library
Sahuarita School District
Sunnyside Unified School District
Tucson Unified School District

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Media contact:
Romi Carrell Wittman
College of Education
520-730-0138
rwittman@arizona.edu

Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state's flagship, land-grant institution. The U of A ranks among America's top institutions, focusing on student access and success while driving a $1 billion research enterprise and engaging communities throughout the state, nation and world. As a leading Research 1 institution and member of the Association of American Universities, the U of A advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships. With two accredited medical schools, designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, recognition as a premier university for service members, distinguished programs in management information systems, planetary sciences, dance, photography, and public and applied humanities, the U of A offers the world to its students while uplifting Arizona.