Sami West
Online Editor/Reporter
About
Sami West joined KUOW’s web team as an Online Editor/Reporter in 2025.
Before that, she spent two years covering education at KUOW, reporting extensively on mounting financial challenges in Seattle Public Schools and districts across Washington state. Her coverage also centered 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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Politics and change: Why Seattle Public Schools' superintendent is stepping down
When Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones announced he’s leaving the district this fall, he said the decision came from a desire to spend time with family.
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Washington schools chief blasts 'cruel chaos' of Trump's order to eliminate the Department of Education
Washington state’s top education official is speaking out against President Donald Trump’s long-awaited executive order calling for the dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education.
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Seattle Public Schools to hunt for new leader as Superintendent Jones steps down
After "much reflection and heartfelt conversations," Superintendent Brent Jones announced he's leaving the top job at Washington's largest public school district.
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Seattle Public Schools delays sunset of highly-capable cohort program
Seattle Public Schools has changed course on its gifted education program, announcing plans to keep dedicated schools open for at least three more years.
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Washington state joins lawsuit against Trump's mass Department of Education cuts
Washington state has joined a coalition of 20 other states in a lawsuit seeking to stop President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
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University of Washington freezes non-essential hiring, travel
The University of Washington has frozen non-essential hiring and travel, effective immediately, amid federal and state funding uncertainty.
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U.S. Department of Education investigates Tumwater School District over transgender student athlete
The U.S. Department of Education has launched a Title IX investigation into the Tumwater School District after a transgender girl from Shelton played in a high school girls’ basketball game last month.
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Homelessness is soaring among Seattle students. School support workers are on the front lines
Homelessness among Seattle Public Schools students has been on the rise over the last two years, affecting roughly 2,200 students. KUOW takes an inside look at how a district staffer goes above and beyond to help these students – and their families – in one southeast Seattle elementary school.
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Successful dropout prevention program in Washington state faces uncertain future
A state program that helps prevent Washington students from dropping out of high school may be in jeopardy if lawmakers don't step in.
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How is Trump's crackdown on DEI affecting your school? KUOW wants to hear from you
On President Donald Trump's first day in office, he signed an executive order calling for the termination of all “discriminatory” and “illegal” DEI and accessibility programs in federally funded institutions.