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ASDOE Workshop conducted by US-based Solution Tree

This Samoa News photo taken yesterday shows public educators during the second day of the two-day “Professional Learning Community at Work”
“Professional Learning Community At Work”
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA —  Public educators gathered yesterday during the second day of the two-day “Professional Learning Community at Work” workshop at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium, conducted by Marcus Johnson (front of group) of the US based organization, Solution Tree.

Yesterday’s workshop was for teachers from the elementary division while Wednesday’s workshop targeted high school, special education, and ECE divisions.

According to Solution Tree's website (www.solutiontree.com), Johnson — an educator for more than 40 years — is co-director of the Central Valley Education Leadership Institute at California State University, Fresno. He is a former superintendent of Sanger Unified School District in California.

“Professional Learning Community [explores] a focus on learning; cultivating a culture of collaboration and focus on results,” Education director, Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga said yesterday. She expressed gratitude to the teachers “for taking hold of their professional growth. As a teacher, we commit to being lifelong learners.”

She alluded to the fact that trainings and workshops that are conducted throughout this week are the department’s way of assisting them in the classroom - but the implementation is up to them.

“It is our shared commitment to learn individually and collectively on our teaching practices that are most effective, to improve student learning,” she said.

This week’s ASDOE workshops and trainings, through the Office of Teacher Quality under the leadership of assistant director Diana Ameperosa and staff, is a prelude to kicking off the new 2018-19 school year under the theme, “Committed To Learning for All”.

While public schools are set to start classes Sept. 4th, the new school year officially commences next Monday, Aug. 27th with an assembly at the Tafuna High School gymnasium, where Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga will address all educators.

During Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Fiu J. Saelua announced next Monday’s official opening of the new school year, and urged all cabinet members to attend. Lolo echoed the same thing.

Fiu pointed out that at last year’s official opening, only a small number of cabinet members were in attendance but it's important that students, the community, and educators see that all leaders are their showing support.

[photo: Leua Aiono Frost]