Sami West
Education Reporter
About
Sami West is a reporter for KUOW, where she covers education across the Puget Sound region. She’s been on the education beat for over four years, reporting extensively on the countless ways Covid has impacted K-12 schools. Sami’s reporting has also focused on child care deserts and workforce issues, the role early childhood education can play in improving literacy, and the challenges students, families, and educators face to provide special education services.
Previously, she wrote about education for Chalkbeat Tennessee in Memphis, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin in Appleton, Wis., and the Leader-Telegram in Eau Claire, Wis. While pursuing degrees in journalism and English at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, she interned at The Washington Post and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
A native Minnesotan and seven-year Wisconsinite, Sami is passionate about tater tot hotdish (not casserole), lakeside sunsets, cheese, and the Green Bay Packers. When she’s not attending school board meetings or chasing other education news, Sami enjoys hitting the trails and exploring local breweries with her husband and dog.
Location: Seattle
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Education Writers Association
Stories
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KUOW Newsroom
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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KUOW Newsroom
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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KUOW Newsroom
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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KUOW Newsroom
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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KUOW Newsroom
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.