Mikaela Saelua, the 2024 Territorial Teacher of the Year, is one of four finalists selected to be a National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Known as one of the most prestigious teacher recognition programs in the nation, CCSSO provides a new cohort of State Teachers of the Year with a yearlong, one-of-a-kind professional learning and development experience. From this cohort, one teacher is selected as the National Teacher of the Year who is released from classroom duties to speak at more than 150 events across the United States to share wisdom, advocate for students, elevate issues teachers face, and inspire others to join the profession.
Saelua earned an MEd in Interdisciplinary Education from the Department of Curriculum Studies (EDCS) PACMED program.
