Partners

staff

Tupua Roy Fua
Job Title: Project Director GEAR UP American Samoa Program American Samoa Community College rfua@gearup.as, rfua@yahoo.com Education: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR — M.Ed. Education Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR — B.S. Health Education American Samoa Community College, Am. Samoa — A.A. General Education Mountain View Union Academy, Mt. View California — HS Diploma Experience: 2006-2012 — Director to the U.S. DOE GEAR UP Grant 2004-2006 — Chairman of School Board, Iakina SDA Academy 2002 — Appointed Samoan HC Tupua, Family Matai Title 2002-2005 — Director to the U.S. DOE TQE Grant 2001-2006 — Department Chair Teacher Education ASCC 1995-1999 — Provost to Northern Marianas College, SOE 1994-1997 — Director to the U.S. DOE FIPSE Grant 1972-1975 — United States Army, Army Field Medic 91B2 Statement: I have been blessed to have had parents who value education and fear God. With their guidance and discipline I have been able to put those endowments into my profession of education. I feel it is my responsibility to help prepare quality education for the next generation of Samoans. Only through pro-active leadership and education will we be able to motivate others to lift ourselves above and beyond. I enjoy meeting new people, Tai food and emailing friends
Tipalelupe Tapuai
Job Title: Systems Manager GEAR UP American Samoa Program American Samoa Community College l.tapuai@amsamoa.edu; ttapuai@gmail.com Education: Avondale College, Australia — MLM (cand.), Management Pacific Adventist University, PNG; - 2001 — B.A. Th., Theology & Humanities Fulton College, Fiji; - 2000 — College Diploma, Information Tech. Cert. Adventist College, Apia, Samoa, 1996 — Pacific Senior School Certificate Avele College, Apia, Samoa, 1994 — School Certificate Experience: 2009 - current, Systemes Manager 2006 - 2009, GUAS Data Specialist 2004 - 2006, Iakina Adventist Academy — Computer Instructor 2003 - 2004, Marfleet Printing — Graphic Designer Statement: Working with the GEAR UP staff and students is a real blessing for me. I value the goals and objectives of this program because they not only generate a real spirit of service for me, but they are the vigor for producing positive results for our students. Let’s continue the hard work together to make sure that the 2012 class will prosper beyond their high school achievement. God bless the American Samoa GEAR UP!!!
Norah Suisala-Filivaa
Job Title: Data Specialist GEAR UP American Samoa Program American Samoa Community College norah.suisala@amsamoa.edu; norahfilivaa@gmail.com Education: American Samoa Community College, AS South San Francisco High School, CA – High School Diploma Experience: 2009-Present — Data Assistant, GEAR UP Program, AS 2003-2008 — Community Resource & Information Specialist, Center for Families of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 2001-2003 – Assistant COBRA Administrator, A.G. Sieben & Associates, CA Statement: “Treat people as if they were what they should be, and you help them become what they are capable of becoming.” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
Jason Hollister
Job Title: Administrative Assistant GEAR UP American Samoa Program American Samoa Community College j.hollister@amsamoa.edu; jasonhollister32@gmail.com Education: American Samoa Community College, AS — Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts Leone High School, AS — High School Diploma Experience: 2006-Present — Administrative Assistant, GEAR UP Program, AS 2003-2006 — Office Aide, Teacher Education Department, ASCC Statement: I love Math. My favorite areas are Algebra 1 and Geometry. I believe that in life, what you put forth in it is what you get out of it. Every person should get a second chance. Don’t ever give up on your dreams & goals. A little sacrifice, dedication, and commitment can go a very long way. And last but not least, treat others as you would want them to treat you. GEEEEEAR UP!!!!!
Anthony Austin Felise
Job Title: GEAR UP Math Instructor anthony.felise@gmail.com Education: Texas A&M University-Commerce, TX — B.S in Mathematics American Samoa Community College, AS — A.A. in Liberal Arts Faga’itua High School, AS — High School Diploma Experience: March 22, 2010 — Present: Gear Up Math Instructor, GEAR UP Program, AS February 8,2010 – March 19, 2010 : Secondary Math Instructor at Tafuna High School Statement: Nothing comes easy in life, which is what my parents have always told me. Yes, I have been through enough trials to finally understand what they meant. Life wouldn’t be worth living if it weren’t for the hardships that we encounter on our journey to success. As the saying goes, the greater the hardship, the greater the reward. And, as to my rewards, it is a true blessing to work with the GEAR UP Program. It feels great to be a part of this educational reform program changing our student’s academic lives.
Laurenthia Baker
Job Title: Gear Up English Instructor Education: University of San Francisco, CA- BA in Psychology Minor in Gender Studies, Minor in Sociology Faasao High School- High School Diploma Experience: 2011 Gear Up English Instructor, American Samoa September 2011- Present- Gear Up English Instructor, GEAR Up American Samoa August 2010-September 2011- Student Services Coordinator, PiCED American Samoa Jan-2010-August 2010- Contracted by Federal US Census Bureau as Payroll Supervisor October 2008-July 2009- Gear Up English Instructor, GEAR Up American Samoa Statement: “I am very fortunate to have a family who values a good education and Parents who provided me with one of the best educations. The best part of my job is being able to assist students in getting into college to further their educational careers and being a positive motivator in their lives! As an instructor the classroom can become really frightening and intimidating, but for me as a student the classroom becomes my safe haven! “Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life.” Fredrick W. Robertson