Susie An is a reporter for WBEZ and covers state and suburban education.
She also serves as an occasional news anchor and show host on WBEZ. She’s directed shows like, Schools on the Line, a past WBEZ call-in show focusing on education in Chicago. Her work has also been heard on NPR, CBC and BBC. Susie joined WBEZ as a news desk intern in September 2007. Prior to joining WBEZ, Susie worked at the Peoria Journal Star newspaper and worked as an acquisitions editor for Publications International, Ltd.
Susie’s work has won awards from the Associated Press and Chicago Headline Club. She has a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, Susie has been a Chicago resident since 2006.
Susie An
Reporter, Education
Stories by Susie An
![]()
Kids Ask: Why do schools do lockdown drills?
Young kids often turn to their parents to understand why we do safety drills. One parent, along with a social worker, takes on this tough one.
![]()
Illinois student test scores are in. They remain far below pre-pandemic levels in reading and math.
The results on state math and reading exams mirror last year’s scores, showing the ongoing toll of COVID-19 and remote learning.
![]()
Illinois students are getting their first broad exposure to Asian American history this year
A new state law requires teaching Asian American history. Some teachers have jumped in headfirst, while others are still preparing lessons.
![]()
A church in Urbana-Champaign reverses on promises to address abuse allegations
Former members say Covenant Fellowship Church has reneged on its vows to investigate allegations of sexual and spiritual abuse.
![]()
As school book bans gain traction in the U.S., Barrington rejects bid to remove two LGBTQ books
The northwest suburban school board voted narrowly Tuesday to keep the books. Book bans nationally often target books with LGBTQ content.
![]()
Highland Park students seeking ‘some sort of normalcy’ as class resumes after mass shooting
Administrators are preparing for everyone — whether they’re still struggling or seem fine — and paying attention to both students and staff.
![]()
What it’s like to be a first-time teacher in a classroom that ‘didn’t have anything’
Illinois has managed to stay ahead of a national teacher shortage, but a closer look as schools restart reveals a lot of churn and burnout.
![]()
Survivor’s guilt and anxiety abound in the wake of mass shootings
Experts say recovering from gun violence can be long and slow. Strong support is vital, but often isn’t as available where shootings are more common.
![]()
Kids Ask: Who made the universe?
WBEZ is exploring the challenging questions young children ask. Today, a six-year-old wants to know how it all began.
![]()
Illinois teens want to hold schools accountable for taking on the teen mental health crisis
A group of teens says it’s not enough to just talk about the rise in mental health issues during the pandemic. They say schools must do better.
