Mikaela Saelua, 2025 American Samoa Teacher of the Year
By National Teacher of the Year Program
Mikaela Saelua, the 2025 American Samoa Teacher of the Year, teaches senior English, journalism/yearbook and AP English language and composition at Leone High School.
Saelua’s classroom is full of color and student artwork — especially the painted handprint wall she created with her students. The wall is symbolic of the school’s motto, “Unity is strength,” and reminds students of what it feels like when everyone comes together.
Saelua says she creates spaces where students feel empowered to stand out and be themselves. One of Saelua’s favorite quotes by Dr. Seuss emphasizes that feeling.
In Saelua’s class, students are also encouraged to lead and take risks. For example, sometimes students teach lessons. Saelua once learned a valuable lesson from a former student, Megan, that shaped how she leads her classroom to this day. Watch the video to learn more.
This blog is part of Teaching the Nation: 2025 National Teacher of the Finalists, a four-part blog series that offers a glimpse inside the classrooms of Mikaela Saelua, Janet Renee Damon, Jazzmyne Townsend and Ashlie Crosson. Explore the series on our Blog.
