Sami West
Education Reporter
About
Sami West is a reporter covering schools in Seattle and across the Puget Sound region. She’s been on the education beat for over five years and has reported extensively on the countless ways COVID has impacted schools, students, and families. Her coverage has also focused on school finances, special education issues, the importance of early childhood education, and the growing youth mental health crisis.
Before joining KUOW in 2023, she wrote about education for Chalkbeat in Memphis, Tennessee, and two newspapers in Wisconsin. A Midwesterner at heart, Sami originally hails from Minnesota and holds degrees in journalism and English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
When she’s not attending school board meetings or chasing other education news, Sami enjoys exploring the beautiful trails and abundant breweries of the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dog.
Location: Seattle
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Education Writers Association
Stories
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Education
Bellevue School Board to vote on school closures
As school districts across the region and state face declining enrollment and budget shortfalls, the Bellevue School Board will decide the fate of two elementary schools on Thursday.
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Education
WA teacher turnover hits new high as students struggle to recover from pandemic disruptions
The number of teachers leaving Washington state classrooms has hit a nearly four-decade high.
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Education
Seattle Public Schools notifies employees of potential layoffs
As Seattle Public Schools grapples with a $131 million budget deficit, layoffs appear to be imminent.
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Education
Here are the 3 schools Bellevue is recommending for closure
Bellevue School District administrators have recommended Ardmore, Eastgate, and Wilburton elementary schools for closure under a potential consolidation plan presented to the school board Thursday.
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Education
Seattle students, teachers rally for more ethnic studies and counselors in schools
Some students and educators are pushing Seattle Public Schools to require ethnic studies and Black history classes, increase funding for school counselors, and keep police out of schools, among several other demands as part of Black Lives Matter at School week.
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Education
Seattle, Shoreline families rally to save school arts programs amid budget cuts
As school districts across Washington prepare for budget shortfalls next school year, families are rallying to save arts programs and other electives that may be on the chopping block.