Teaching in Samoa -- good grades vs. good people: Jessica Baker at TEDxLansingED

[@carriepie5404]

This is how we as Samoan people have been raised and brought up since we were kids, but its up to you however you inherit the information, and educated tools that your ancestors brought down through generations. I used this formula and aspect in a way of life, transformed it into my studies of knowledge not only in the classroom, but in a real world. I say now finally, Someone differ from my culture gets it. someone different from me finally get it. I am an successful RN, BS, and D.O.N because of it. This way of thinking has been within all along and it all started from my parents, whom taught me the value of life itself not the academics perspective respectfully, but value your families and embraced your background where I came from. R.I.P. MOM. God Bless Samoa.

[@OkinInc]

Carrie Pie God bless you too Carrie.

[@iceandcoconuts]

At least someone gets it. Thank you for learning and understanding our culture

[@wutdafeezy]

I was born and raised there. She hit the nail on the head about the Samoan way of thinking. It takes teamwork to make the dream work😂 although since the introduction of western thinking, it has become a struggle for many in my generation to find the best of both worlds. I feel like two people and am so torn between wanting to help my family out (tautua & give to all the fa'alavelaves) vs ensuring my own future and rise to the top (save my money and do everything on my own). I found that giving is what makes me feel Samoan. Doing stuff together and helping my family makes me feel Samoan because being Samoan is about community and empathy or better yet, it's about serving my family. To live Samoan is live a selfless life of service to others..elders, parents, matai, community, etc

[@OkinInc]

wutdafeezy Uso, whoever you are and wherever you are right now, I feel every letter of your words. Hope all is well with you and yours. Alofa atu.

[@amdclx4635]

Preach toko

[@hopeautele9698]

I'm from manu'a & I highly respect you for this beautiful presentation. I was born in AS & raised in Faleasao. I spent all my academic years in Manua & just currently moved to Cali to complete senior year. Being here & trying to adjust to the Americanized lifestyle is difficult especially when I grew up learning how to value culture. Here in America, from my experience throughout these couple of months in school, everything seems to be a competition. If you're not academically strong, then they look down on you. I couldn't wish for note but for people to understand the true message of life I. which is stated in your presentation. We had a youth gathering for church in fitiuta and I remember you performing with them. I can still picture your smile & I can tell how tremendously happy you were. Thank you for this amazing message. It touched my heart. Hopefully, I can touch more in the future to come. God bless you Jackie.

[@hopeautele9698]

*more

[@ata_telesia]

Oh my gosh, yes. I go to school over here in the U.S. and I noticed the same thing. It really tests your patience. I'm so grateful humility is important in our culture because to be honest not many people I've came across are generally humble. It's almost like a competition yet we're all going to the same school, all trying to make the best of everything.

[@faasoutaupau7146]

y

[@faasoutaupau7146]

y

[@cineiopu1458]

Love this! I applaud you bringing this to light; it needs to be discussed frequently. Appreciate you for taking the time to learn and comprehend our students in light of the lessons they have learned throughout their lives. Love my Samoan community!!!!

[@savaiiman]

I love this! I felt proud and emotional as Jessica spoke. The educational system in developed countries are becoming more mechanical and with less emotion about the person on either side of your desk. Like she mentioned, individuality....that word goes a long way and ends in objectivity and less unselfishness...I am Samoan born in a developed country but raised in American Samoa where I schooled in all levels of education, so I know what she means. I also alternatively during those years had the opportunity to be educated of all levels in developed countries also, so I know what Jessica means...schooling with a community based foundation has perks that make great affect immediately and throughout the generations...Ia Manuia (May you be blessed)...Soifua (Regards)...

[@OkinInc]

Fitiuta Manu'a So well said.

[@mact6454]

I salute you Jassica for putting our story out there you are so right and I respect and appreciate your help and your work for us.theres more in life then numbers and degrees.1love to humanity

[@LAZEitup]

Love this speech! Good people with Good Grades :) God bless

[@vaijr.5004]

Malo lava. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our Samoan culture. Well done.

[@deafymc]

Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. It's about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter. It is about laying the groundwork for others' success, and then standing back and letting them shine. Much Alofas.

[@ViiaLeAtuaMamana]

wow!! excellent point from a deeper perspective Amazing.. Powerful message for all.. May God increase you with more knowledge and understanding.. thank you...

[@apelefailautusi6764]

Thank you for sharing your experience while you're in A.S.... I believe this talk help all Native English Speaking who is willing to teach English as an ESL to other country....learn and understand the culture and the way people lived...bless you all...

[@luckyman11-11]

@ Jessie Baker. Great speech! Thank you for that.. I am a Samoan living in San Diego. It's funny because we moved to the area we live in now mainly for our daughter to receive a better education. Typically Samoan families are huge and growing up in our household our father governed with a strong hand. Education was priority as he wanted us all to have a chance at a better future. By him raising us that way we grew distant from our own culture and it was tough! We moved from the Island to the mainland and always had the hardest times trying to assimilate into the western culture. I remember going to school here in the mainland we experienced so much pushback from everyone. The blacks always fought with us probably because we were like the new minorities on the block, Hispanics couldn't really tell what we were so they just kind of left us alone, and the whites just never accepted us at all. And if we ever did run into a Samoan family, our culture was so blurred to us in a sense that we'd be picked on by them because they thought that we thought we were better than they were. Back to the value Samoans place on education.. You are right about everything! They do put happiness and love for one another first but there's a huge disadvantage to that mostly economically. Although Samoans are taught humility and to respect others from a very young age, the world is changing and we have to change with it I believe in order TO maintain the culture. My father did not want us to live a marginalized life because by birth we were already dealt that card and he pushed education on us as a means to change our future and we are so grateful for him doing that. I don't know because this is a dilemma I'm sure Samoans that are trying to change their future deal with. I'd like more Samoans to push themselves and delve in to their education because it is the only way of liberating yourself. Athletically and just by pure brute strength Samoans dominate that realm, can you imagine ones that have the braun too?! Oooooooo you better watch out! It's a complete Army of some!...lol Seriously all kidding aside tho... @Jessie Baker, thank you for being you! Thank you for seeing the beauty of an amazing culture and its people. I hope to collaborate in a business venture with any one of my Samoan people some day.

[@neverthat8654]

luckyman1170 Thank you for sharing that for it has been a battle of both worlds in myself for the passed decade. Manuia ☺

[@JasonFightsCrime]

That's interesting, I am contemplating a move to an island territory. One of the things that I was thinking of was the opportunity for my daughter to experience another culture. American Samoa is on my mind since they're advertising a position that I'm almost qualified for.

[@CCCPhoenix]

Not always Mrmoc7...Last time I checked the list of successful business owners in America, a good number of them don't have much of the "higher education", but a whole lot of COMMITMENT and hard work! I'm not saying that good education holds no value at all, but I'm saying that there are also many other ways in addition to classroom education that are very helpful & valuable to help accomplish one's goals. A number of which, as Baker reminds & encourages, is cultural values, family upbringing, and communal living. Peace, kena

[@Hello-rl6lp]

I agree. Education is valuable but also work and life experience is more desirable.

[@tianalevu5677]

Enjoying listening, love it.

[@faivajuniorbrown8466]

wonderful speech... God bless you soul

[@Hello-rl6lp]

Great speech Ms. Baker!!

[@OkinInc]

Jessica. Thank you.

[@tamachange]

Awesome speech!! Thanks for sharing.

[@etacollins8155]

You speak my language! Great TED talk!

[@JonahWatt]

I would love to see and hear her speak live, I would definitely go for sure.

[@brunsonfleesang4475]

sadly, those with educational backgrounds with post graduate degrees are working at lower wage positions due to competitiveness and lack of corporate available positions. But she does make a point - because of corruption and greed, it's executives that have these degrees are the reason for corporate bail outs, fraud, cover ups and wall street crashes, yet those who own entrepreneur businesses who were not as highly educated thrive on integrity and sharing their common wealth and for that, this teacher makes a valid statement.

[@derrickflintstone548]

thank you for respecting my race real thankful

[@Rayado_26]

This is true.. many other place in the world there's is a stronger sense of community.. that is not always learned and or valued in school or in American community.. you can see this in the bigger cyties in the country..

[@lniumatalolo]

Fa'afetai tele for the care and respect for my people. Manuia le aso.

[@DeloresPeterson-ku7dr]

Tautua “ to serve or be or service to God First, family n culture follow. Being MORALLY ACCOUNTABLE is a reflection of your bloodline you work as a team to evenly all be ONE…one God, one voice ( parents ) one word. I will be 49 October 5 until this day. I have never talked back to my parents. It’s not a thought that would ever even cross my mind. I know better honoring your parents is everything thank you for this amazing recognition of absolutely solid. Someone peoples belief is in God And what is important which is family culture making everyone included I’m always proud of the fact that such a tiny little island without a CAT scan machine at the hospital we have no homeless people being smart is great but to be of service and to be useful and to be a part of one voiceis everything

[@bsiatuu]

Thank you. Very wholistic approach to EDUCATION and true.

[@YAMAHAFIASCO]

she gets it! :) go girl!

[@lagituaivaflinders6587]

That is honorable. God bless you.

[@anniversary6365]

Love this

[@saileleusoviking4293]

I find this very interesting that she is somewhat fond of the education system in American Samoa. Though, I find it hard to correllate speech with her length of stay in American Samoa and how the culture is maintained. Making a point about applying simple methods to an already over glorified Education system in America will be a challenging concept. However, maybe if she should stay in American Samoa for a longer period, she just might be able to find different applications of her view on the American education system of a young talented and enriched culture such as Samoa.

[@islandvibeandsounds2023]

foobar Samoan Culture is a perplexed interwoven mesh which is at the root of young talents.

[@TJBlack3.5]

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

[@temokarasipulouama1366]

It's a good for thought ...agree

[@AlOfa30]

Beautiful! ty!

[@suakilaulu7092]

Do you still live in American Samoa? Great speech by the way..

[@UameaAasa]

Totally agree

[@jessiehuggett2466]

Are You watching this Rachel Gray

[@captainzork6109]

Yes!

[@kristianjosh8293]

That's what I'm talking about. Way to drop some wisdom.

[@afaesetigilau1908]

Great speach

[@rajzsaludario349]

Anyone please answer this, what is the educational philosophy of Samoan education?

[@susantuiloma4244]

Success should never be determined by a piece of paper. The little things matter like making your bed, cleaning the house etc…. We have a saying “fa’amaoni i mea iti e te pulea ai mea e tele” translated be honest with the small things and you’ll succeed bigger. Also our motto is the way to leadership is through service. We value kindness, family, love and support over success ☺️

[@johncarter6331]

I was the calmest n quiet kid back in school (samoa) but got smack by the teachers fr being good.

[@jrlesa08]

I'm curious to know miss.baker should there be a reformation in the education system in the U.S to where they should incorporate more values driven principle?

[@johnt.wolfbanger5731]

You mean like God? Yikes! Or traditional family values? You mad? American pride? Think again bro.

[@kaz._.683]

Yeah; sometimes kids can be very, um... creative. My family adopted my cousins and they don't know the differences between p & b. Talofae ia kamaiki lol

[@jordanboss2403]

Maybe its because we don't have a B in the Samoan alphabet.

[@MarinaFraymo]

Lolz!

[@tsarawalcott7804]

You da best

[@drspiff]

Don't mean to sound harsh, it looks like unlearned some important lessons in Samoa, but why on earth after spending so much time there you can't SAY Samoa correctly??? It's sAmoa not sUmoa.

[@jelloisme7520]

tht is just how palagi's are u know

[@jessicamcnamara3403]

I know how to really say Samoa; however, here in the State's not many know the true pronunciation. Because of who I was talking to, I wanted to say it the way they are used to hearing it. As soon as I step foot on that beautiful island, Samoa is SAmoa. E te malamalama?

[@jasonleigh5685]

Jessie Baker Seems perhaps like a missed opportunity to educate audiences in the States. Takes only 10 seconds to explain it. And you can just use Sāmoa throughout your talk. Iʻve never had to explain it publicly and no one ever gets it confused. Just a suggestion. Again, not intended to sound harsh, just some advice. Your talk is still a valuable contribution.

[@jessicamcnamara3403]

Jason Leigh Agreed. In hindsight I absolutely should have taken the opportunity. If I ever have this chance again, I will make sure to make that change. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@arieltagaloa9107]

It's called dialect. She uses an English American dialect. If you were to come here they would correct your dialect. Just a difference of pronunciation throughout the world

[@user-tz1bo2ny8y]

American Samoa and Samoa are not the same

[@kerisianotalaeai5655]

Am I the only one from there

[@aw00gaaw00ga1]

Sa le saugi si keige mo le ulavale o kamaiki samoa! Hahaha. E tele le mana o le Faasamoa

[@Muzika_Gospel]

@Mrmoc7- I can give you a lot of evidences that are counterpart to your opinion Sir.

[@micvili7527]

You want Samoan kids to behave, call the parents

[@mapusula9]

Yea she just explained how fob the kids are 😂

[@allylewis4345]

I was poisoned ...

[@damukingchappie2604]

She's cute

[@reasonrally6658]

Yes I was thinking the same thing. She is beautiful on the inside too. Intelligent and beautiful. Great job Jessica Baker.

[@witnessme2351]

maaan she got the cakes.

[@Iseyami11]

I’m sorry but I hate that she’s teaching are culture to other people

[@misatoshi07mohammed20]

You're single right?