Educator Edney Apulu of American Samoa, who has been named 2020 Territorial Teacher of the Year.

I love to share stories about outstanding educators who have earned accolades for their work. One of these is Edney Apulu, a high school social studies teacher in American Samoa. He has been named 2020 Territorial Teacher of the Year.

This is the second year in a row that a teacher from Tafuna has been named Territorial Teacher of the Year. Last year’s winner was math teacher Jordanna Maga.

As a young man, Edney attended Tafuna High School, where he graduated in 2004. Once he graduated, he enrolled in American Samoa Community College, where he earned his Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. He continued his education at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in both Social Studies and History. In addition, he earned a Master’s degree in Curriculum Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Once he completed his education, Edney returned to his home island. There he accepted a position as a social studies teacher at his alma mater, Tafuna High School. He has taught there for the past 11 years. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Edney serves as the Head of the Social Studies Department and as an official with the American Samoa High School Athletics Association. He also serves as the Chair for the Lumana’i Chapter of the National Honor Society, and he is the faculty advisor of both the History Club and the Junior Statesman of America.

To read more about this amazing educator, view this online article about him published by the American Samoa Department of Education.