Sami West
Online Editor/Reporter
About
Sami West joined KUOW’s web team as an Online Editor/Reporter in 2025.
Before that, she spent over two years covering education at KUOW, reporting extensively on mounting financial challenges in Seattle Public Schools and districts across Washington state. Her coverage also focused on growing concerns about violence in and around schools, teacher shortages, the youth mental health crisis, and the countless ways Covid continues to affect schools and families, among other topics.
Previously, 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.
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Education Writers Association
Stories
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'Mourn today, act tomorrow.' New Seattle Schools superintendent emphasizes safety following fatal shooting near South Shore
It’s safe to say Ben Shuldiner’s first day as superintendent of Seattle Public Schools wasn’t what he’d expected.
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'If you hear something, say something.' After ICE scare, Seattle Public Schools updates guidance
Seattle Public Schools officials are taking steps to improve how the district responds to reports of immigration enforcement activity near schools.
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After unconfirmed ICE reports prompt sheltering in place, Seattle schools pledges ‘more centralized decision-making’
Seattle teachers, parents, and students remain on edge after unconfirmed reports swirled earlier this week that immigration enforcement officers were operating near several schools.
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Conozca sus derechos: ¿qué pasa si se encuentra con ICE?
Hay mucha confusión sobre los derechos que tienen las personas al encontrarse con funcionarios de inmigración. Para aclarar lo que se puede y no hacer si se encuentra con ICE, KUOW conversó con Henry Hwang, abogado director del Proyecto de Derechos de los Inmigrantes del Noroeste.
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Know your rights: How to navigate an ICE encounter
Federal immigration enforcement activity is escalating across the U.S., including in Seattle.
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'Our kids need help.' Washington schools chief calls for tax reforms to fund education
Washington’s current tax code is unsustainable, hurts public schools and middle-class families, and needs reform. That was state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal’s top message Thursday during his annual “State of Education” address.
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Seattle Public Schools’ new superintendent will start in February with $425,000 contract
It’s official: Seattle Public Schools has hired its next superintendent, a district leader from Michigan, to begin working on Feb. 1.
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Everything we know about Ben Shuldiner, the lone finalist for Seattle Public Schools superintendent
After a monthslong search, Seattle Public Schools finally has a new superintendent. KUOW's Sami West breaks down what we know so far about Ben Shuldiner, who she interviewed this week.
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Seattle School Board names lone superintendent finalist, a district leader recruited from Michigan
An experienced district leader from Michigan is set to become the next superintendent of Seattle Public Schools.
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The weird rule that shapes Seattle school board races
We got a listener question, and we had to answer it.
