Mikaela Saelua
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the American Samoa Congressional Delegate) — U.S. Congresswoman Aumua Amata is congratulating 2025 American Samoa Teacher of the Year, now a finalist for the prestigious National Teacher of the Year recognition.
“Congratulations again to my friend, Mikaela Saelua, recognized recently as Teacher of the Year, and now a well-deserved finalist for the national award!” said Congresswoman Amata. “Teaching our young people is a wonderful way to make a difference in life. I’ve known of your excellence and dedication for years, so thank you for your commitment to our youth. This accomplishment is an outstanding reflection on the educators of our islands. I know you’ll enjoy the rest of the process, and thank you as well to all our teachers and the American Samoa Department of Education.”
The Council of Chief State School Officers will name the 2025 National Teacher of the Year later this spring, now a decision among just four remaining finalists.
Mikaela Saelua teaches English to seniors, juniors and sophomores at Leone High School in the villages of Vailoatai and Leone in the Western District of American Samoa. Saelua holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master of Education in curriculum studies from the University of Hawaii, Manoa.
The other finalists are:
• Janet Renee Damon, the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year, teaches history and has taught in Denver Public Schools for more than 25 years as a history teacher, literacy interventionist, library specialist and trainer and a K-12 school librarian.
• Jazzmyne Townsend, the 2025 District of Columbia Teacher of the Year, is a K-5 English language arts instructional coach at Stanton Elementary School, where she utilizes research-based and developmentally appropriate strategies to meet student needs.
• Ashlie Crosson, the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, is an English teacher at Mifflin County High School who teaches Advanced Placement language and composition, journalism, English 10 and Survival Stories.
