ABOUT US
You probably have a few questions at this point:
- What is our mission?
- What are the goals and outcomes we work toward?
- Where are our sites?
- Who is our Staff?
Our Mission
Our Staff
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.
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.
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.
ASPIRC Coordinator
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.