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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What should WA schools cut? Districts face unpopular choices
Across the Puget Sound region, districts are communicating a harsh reality — they are confronting fiscal shortfalls and they need to cut costs.
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Seattle Colleges faculty, staff demand equitable raises in walkout
Seattle Colleges faculty say they haven't received a significant pay raise since 2009.
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Union-led residency program aims to combat WA teacher shortage
Starting next school year, up to 20 aspiring special education teachers will get hands-on, paid classroom experience in the Federal Way, Walla Walla, and Mukilteo school districts through the Washington Education Association’s inaugural teacher residency program.
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Washington education advocates hope capital gains ruling helps schools
The Washington Supreme Court’s ruling last week to allow the state’s capital gains tax could bring a windfall for public education.
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Seattle Public Schools lays off more staff, but spares teachers for now
Seattle Public Schools officials say they’ve slashed 74 central office positions for next school year, yet most teachers’ jobs will be safe.
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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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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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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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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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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.