Born and raised in American Samoa, Marcella Fitisone  is an English language arts teacher at the largest public high school in American Samoa, Tafuna High School. In this capacity, she teaches four courses of senior English 130 and one college prep elective. 
 
She graduated from Tafuna High School in June of 2013 and moved to Berea, Kentucky, to complete her undergraduate studies at Berea College, double majoring in women’s and gender studies and education studies. Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree, she returned home to American Samoa to teach at her alma mater, Tafuna High School. In 2020, she earned her Master of Education in curriculum and instruction at Louisiana State University Shreveport. 
 
Since she began teaching in 2017, Fitisone has taken on various leadership roles, including the National Honor Society Board chairwoman, Brown Sister Club co-founder and advisor, class advisor, Tech team lead, Speech Festival coach and leadership team member. She currently serves as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges school coordinator. 
 
Fitisone’s philosophy on teaching is based on the premise that education can provide students with the fundamental skills needed to be informed, successful, respectable and responsible citizens beyond the classroom. Educational philosopher Paulo Freire stated, “Education is an act of love, thus an act of courage.” Fitisone believes that teaching is an instrument of love that engenders ultimate liberation to think, create, question, evaluate and stand on one’s own.