Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Veteran educator and Tafuna High School teacher, Christian Salea, is the 2022 Territorial Teacher of the Year and the announcement was made during a special meeting of senior local Education Department officials yesterday, to which the local news media were invited.

“It’s been a long time coming for me. This is not something that I just jumped into,” said Salea after the TTOY official announcement, noting that this is  “actually something I was inspired to by a former teacher... who has pushed me to this level.”

“When I didn’t get it the first time around, I knew that there would be another time. And God had blessed me,” said Salea. “To all my former teachers, I am your product. I’m here because of you and I will continue that same cycle for my kids as well, with the hopes that in the future, they too will inspire others and become great citizens of tomorrow.”