Supporting Parents as First Teachers.

Research shows that the most common factor in the success of any student despite culture, race, or socioeconomic background is parental involvement.

At ASPIRC, we recognize that parents are the first teachers in their child's life. ASPIRC offers services to provide parents with the necessary skills and resources to become involved in their child's education and academic success.

Mission Statement

The American Samoa Parental Information Resource Center (ASPIRC) is federally funded by the Department of Education under the parental involvement provision of the "No Child Left Behind" legislation. The first part of the ASPIRC mission is to help support island families by promoting programs that foster parental involvement in the healthy development of their children. The second part of our mission is to foster stronger ties between island parents and our local schools to improve student academic achievement.

Outcomes

• Improved home-school communication
• Increased student achievement
• Increased school academic achievement
• Increased parental involvement in school planning
• Increased parental involvement in school review
• Increased parental involvement in school improvement
• Increased school readiness

PIRC Sites in American Samoa

Sites are furnished with computer labs and educational materials for parents and children.

• Tafuna Elementary
• Pavai'ai Elementary
• Alofau Elementary
• Matafao Elementary
• Faga'itua High School
• Manu'a High School
• Amouli CCCAS
• Failolo Methodist Church

Our Staff

Tofoitaufa Sandra King Young
Executive Director


Mrs. Sandra King Young received her Juris Doctorate from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. and her Bachelor of Arts in Politcal Science from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California.

King served as Legislative Counsel to the Speaker of the American Samoa House of Representatives prior to founding PiCED. Under the Clinton Administration in 1999, she achieved the highest civil servant ever of any native Samoan when she was appointed to the position of Deputy Director for the Department of Interior's Office of Insular Affairs. King was a staff member for the Gore/Lieberman campaign in the 2000 elections, and prior to that a professional staffer on the US Senate Rules committee, where her oversight responsibilites included security, technology and information services, and strategic planning. Prior to serving in the Legislative and Executive branches, King worked full time as a federally registerd lobbyist while concurrently earning her Law degree. She also has experience as a non-profit consultant.

Sandra holds the taupou title of Tofoitaufa in the Mailo family from Fagatogo. She is married to Mr. Peter Young of Nu'uli and has one son.

Moe Masoe
Project Manager

Mr. Moe Masoe is the ASPIRC Coordinator. He coordinates training and activities for parents to increase their involvement in their children's education. He also teaches SAT Math, as well as Algebra and Geometry for PiCED's summer school program.
Mr. Masoe joined the PiCED staff in May 2007, after working in the LDS Church Educational System in Samoa as a classroom teacher and administrator for more than 20 years. He received his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from BYU-Hawaii Campus, Laie, Hawaii.

While taking up the Country DIrector position for the LDS Church Educational System in Samoa, including American Samoa, from 1999 to 2004, Moe also served as a member of the National University of Samoa Council. He was also a member of the Le Amosa o Savavau University Council in Samoa for 3 years. He has extensive regional experience having served as a member of the Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Islands Area Council for the LDS Church Educational System during the time he was Country Director for Samoa.

Mr. Masoe is married to Makerita Taala of Saasaai, Savaii, and they have two children: a boy and a girl.

Isadora Fatupaito-Manaea
Program Coordinator

Mrs. Isadora Fatupaito-Manaea is the ASPIRC Parent Coordinator and field staff for the Eastern side; overseeing parent centers at Alofau Elementary School, Fagaitua High School and Matafao Elementary School. She assists in coordinating trainings and activities for parents to increase parental involvement in their children’s education. Mrs. Fatupaito-Manaea joined the ASPIRC staff in October 2007. She is from the village of Amouli and has seven beautiful children. Mrs. Fatupaito-Manaea is currently attending the American Samoa Community College double majoring in Accounting and Business Management.

Nometa Sene
Program Coordinator

Ms. Nometa Sene is working as a Field Staff Supervisor for West Side and Manu’a Parent Centers for ASPIRC. She teaches Computer I and II for Parents Computer classes and helped coordinate activities and programs for ASPIRC. Ms. Nometa Sene joined the PiCED family in November 2008, after working at the Star Kist Samoa Inc for 11 years in Production, Cost Accounting, Fish Coordination and Finance Departments.
She is the youngest of five kids in her family. She has one sister and three brothers. She is currently attending American Samoa Community College double majoring in Business Management and Accounting.