At times teachers accomplish impossible tasks

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Mr. Lafaele Mageo-Gasolo, the final teacher highlighted in our National Teacher Appreciation Week profiles that celebrate teachers of the Territory, has been an educator for the American Samoa Department of Education for nearly 9 years.

After graduating with his bachelor’s degree from ASCC, Gasolo told himself that he was satisfied with where he was but, as he would soon learn, things do not always go as planned. Gasolo says that he was inspired by his late mother Letauiloasetamalii’s thriving spirit in her education, as well as his best friend who graduated from the Pacific Master in Education (PACMED) graduate program.

He thought to himself, “if my 40-year old mother can still pursue a better education, it made me think if she can do it, then I could do it as well.”

Gasolo also pointed out that his best friend shared the many things she learned throughout the PACMED graduate program and thought to himself about how this program would make a great impact on his career; which made him rethink furthering his education.

 “Being in this graduate program is not only a blessing but it also opened my eyes to other prospects of teaching such as collaboration with other stakeholders.

 “In senior year of high school, we were asked, just as we were in elementary school, what do you want to be when you grow up? At the time, I wanted to be a psychologist as I had a passion for helping others with their problems and seeing the better side of things.

“I was adamant about pursuing that, but things did not work out how I wanted. Even though I had the opportunity to return … and continue my higher education at the University of Hawaii, things didn't turn out as I had hoped. After returning home, I enrolled in the American Samoa Community College (ASCC).

“I stayed back and applied for multiple jobs, with the mindset that whatever job called me first would be the one. A year later, I was interviewed for the second time as a teacher and was instantly given the assignment to work on a separate island (Aunu’u). I entered the profession knowing that everyone in my family, including my parents, sisters, and numerous cousins, were teachers.”

What is it like to be a teacher?

 “Being a teacher isn’t always an easy choice in a career, and it was not my first choice of work. But showing up every morning and seeing your students' determination in learning something new brings so much joy in my heart.

 “Being a teacher means you will have to juggle some important things in your life just so that you can complete several tasks that seem to be piling up on your desk every day.

“Being a teacher means you will be inherited with kids you never thought would mean so much to you by the end of the school year.”

Gasolo also added that being a “teacher is not only a job, it also means you will have to play a parent, a sibling, a best friend, and above all a safe haven for these kids to turn to when in need of someone to talk to.”

In addition, he also stated that to be a teacher “is not always an easy job, but seeing the hunger for knowledge that some of my students have kept me going as an educator knowing that they need me in their lives, and like any other job, teaching comes with its perks; one of them being the satisfaction of knowing that your students learned something new.”

How satisfactory has it been educating children of the local community?

Gasolo replied, “Satisfactory isn’t the right word I’d use, but a ‘pleasurable experience’ throughout the years of my teaching career. I believe if you don’t enjoy what you do or in this case teaching, think about what your students are observing.

“If you walk in class with a positive mindset and a good attitude, your students will walk out of your classroom with numerous things they learn; but if you walk in with a negative mindset, those qualities would be projected on your students and it can hinder their mindset throughout the day/ school year.

“With that being said, there are days where I want to throw in the towel and give up and then there's also days where I would do just about anything for my students to grasp the knowledge needed.”

What has been the hardest challenge for him working for DOE?

 “One of the challenges I’ve faced as a teacher is lack of leadership skills within the department but what offsets these challenges are the many opportunities that we get as teachers such as workshops, working hand in hand with other fellow teachers, as well as the many free programs that we are blessed with.

“As a teacher, you don't only work the given 8 hours a day, but work consistently on campus and from home on some occasions…”

And what is the best part of being a teacher?

 “The best part of being a teacher is when there's that light bulb moment in class. The greatest feeling of being a teacher is when you see your students grasp the lesson you taught in class and use it.

“About a year ago, a parent came up to me and told me about her son taking college courses at ASCC and he came home with his math homework puzzled on how to complete it.

“Her daughter, an 8th grade student in my math class asked him if she could see and help him with his work; in which she proceeded telling him that this was what we were covering in class and took the privilege in helping him with his homework. Not only did that make me the happiest teacher but also made me think that I am making a difference in someone's life.

“And one of the many things I can take away from teaching is, we not only teach our students, but we also learn from them, and that plays a vital role in becoming an educator. On the other hand, teachers also face challenges inside and outside of the classroom.”

What does DOE need to work on to better conditions in regards to teaching?

 “I would have to say that DOE needs to work on their leadership skills, and also collaborate with ASG in acquiring more vehicles for the transportation of students and teachers.

“In addition, DOE also needs to up their game technology-wise and to get a stronger internet connection in order for us to get our work done in a timely manner.”

Samoa News thanks all the teachers that were highlighted in our features for  Teacher Appreciation Week — both Territorial and National.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to all teachers of American Samoa for your hard work.

Wishing you all a safe Mother’s Day and Swains Island 3-day weekend.