The Pacific Educational Conference in American Samoa officially opened Monday with Hawaii senator Mike Gabbard signaling the start of the four-day convention.

Cohosted this year by the American Samoa Department of Education, American Samoa Community College, and Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, the conference takes place from July 14 to 17.

One highlight will be the honoring Teachers of the Year from Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, American Samoa, Palau, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Marshall Islands and Hawaii.

Andrew Golden, a science teacher at the Saipan Southern High School has been named Teacher of the Year for the CNM. Golden has been teaching for five years and currently handles physics and chemistry classes in grades 10-12. (Saipan Tribune)

American Samoa educator turned politician Mike Gabbard has officially opened the largest gathering of Pacific Educators in Pago Pago.

The Hawaii based senator told teachers attending the conference that they have the expertise to make learning more relevant, exciting and fulfilling for Pacific children.

And he says he’s confident the four day conference will be a huge success because of the calibre of delegates.

“What I find truly impressive is the incredible amount of expertise that’s assembled at this conference, as I flip through the listings of workshops, presentations and seminars being offered this week I was amazed at the breadth of subject areas that are being covered.16”

Hawaii's Sen. Mike Gabbard addresses 25th Pacific Educational Conference
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent

The 25th Pacific Educational Conference opened yesterday at Tafuna High School with keynote speaker Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard offering two models for each Pacific education nation to consider in order to help improve education for the Pacific Islands. ...Read Article

by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent

Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard, a son of American Samoa, is the keynote speaker at today's opening of the four-day Pacific Education Conference, which is considered one of the largest educational conferences in the western Pacific, and a major source of professional development opportunities for educators. . Read Article