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Laulii Elementary teacher receives Presidential Award for Excellence

Danielle Aina
compiled by Samoa News staff

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Danielle Aina who has taught science for 11 years at Laulii Elementary School, is American Samoa’s recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

 During her journey as an educator at “The Home of the Harbor Light” —, she has been involved in STEAM initiated by the Department of Curriculum Instruction under the American Samoa Department of Education. 

According to her interests, Danielle became an expert in order to teach science to fifth through eighth graders. Even though the school does not have a science lab, she never gives up on teaching science. She creatively utilizes hands-on activities and outdoor observation to motivate the children to enjoy learning science. Danielle’s passion is to teach science and take it to a level where students can create projects using technology and hands-on materials in order to promote learning during lecture and lab work.

She has led professional development for science teachers and joined the Teacher Quality Professional Learning Community to assist new teachers and motivate them to upgrade their credentials. Danielle was selected to receive training in order to become a certified Code HS (Computer Science) teacher in 2022. In 2020, she also became a certified Achieve 3000 teacher. She is also certified as an elementary, science, and STEM teacher through the American Samoa Department of Education.

In addition to receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Danielle was the 2022-2023 Laulii Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Danielle received an A.A. in liberal arts and a B.A. in elementary education, both from American Samoa Community College, and an M.A. in education from San Diego State University.

BACKGROUND

Established by Congress in 1995, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring has honored the hard work and dedication mentors exhibit in broadening participation in STEM pathways. This award honors individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence in mentoring individuals from groups that are underrepresented in STEM education and the workforce. Colleagues, administrators, and students nominate individuals and organizations for exemplary mentoring sustained over a minimum of five years.

A national selection committee assesses the nominations before recommending awardees to the National Science Foundation and OSTP.

The National Science Foundation, provides each recipient $10,000.