Compiled
Seti Matua at Samoalives News
Alliance Bureau.
During the mid to late
1980’s, students at Church College of Western Samoa (now Pesega High School)
often had differing opinions on their Geography instructor. The man with the
broad shoulders, and appraising dark eyes with the pensive demeanor. Some
believed him to be cruel in his grading practices. Others believed he was far
too analytical for edgy, troubled teenagers whose only concerns were getting a
date for the next school dance and passing their School Certificate or
University Entrance exams.
Of all the opposing opinions that circulated about the Geography teacher, there
were also solid facts that could not be escaped. Facts that this writer will
readily admit and attest to having sat three long years under his watchful eye.
Some teachers will allow insubordination as long as their students complete
their homework. This teacher required discipline of the mind while taxing you
mentally and demanded excellence where others often discounted it. He was
interested in the welfare of people and was mindful of the struggles that
students faced on a daily basis since above all else, he was passionate about
education. In fact, he still is. Passion may not be sufficient in describing the
driving force behind the intensity that compels his desire to learn and in turn,
to teach.
Born Faalafua L. Auva’a to Savili Maaelopa and Lua’ilelupe
Neemia Auva’a in Vavau, Samoa on 3 June 1954, Auva’a began his drive
for educational excellence in local government schools before enrolling at
Avele College in the highlands of Vailima overlooking Apia. He later
transferred to CCWS in Pesega where he later graduated and was awarded a
scholarship to attend the Church College of Hawaii (now Brigham Young
University-Hawaii) graduating with a B.A. in Political Science in 1981.
He moved to Utah for a short period before accepting a teaching position at
Pesega, moving his young family to Samoa to fulfill a lifelong dream.
After his brief tenure at CCWS, he and his wife Rita Hunt returned to
Utah where he enrolled at Utah State University and graduated in 1990 with a
B.S. in English before going on to earn a Masters of Arts degree in
English Literature in 1997. Throughout it all, Auva’a has never lost his
desire to serve his people, a fact that does not escape his wife and eight
children, all of whom have inherited Auva’a’s passion for education (daughter
Serafi recently graduated from the University of Utah with a B.A. in
History/English.)
Then there is the matter of rugby. In the Auva’a home, the words rugby and
education are synonymous in the English language. When Auva’a is not in a
classroom full of students lecturing on the Samoan language or the intricacies
of Polynesian literature as an adjunct faculty member of Salt Lake Community
College, he is on the rugby field showing the proper technique to form an
effective scrum. He is often found in the fray forming rucks and mauls with his
players. Again, education in his mind is paramount.
In the Utah Samoan community, Auva’a has become rugby’s foremost ambassador. His
approach in the classroom transfers to his presence on the field. He is above
all else, a teacher first and a friend second. His former pupils to this day
endearingly refer to him simply as “Coach” during casual conversation and
continue to apply the teachings that Auva’a imparted both on and off the rugby
field in their own lives. His credentials as a rugby player and coach are as
impressive as his work as an educator, yet his quiet, unassuming presence on the
pitch often misleads fans and opposing teams who do not know him to believe that
he is just another spectator enjoying a competitive match.
Auva’a’s educational ardor has not diminished over the years. He recently
returned to Utah after a year of studying Law in Fiji at the
University of the South Pacific he has since been accepted to continue his
Law studies at Waikato School of Law in Hamilton, New Zealand, his next
stop along his long road to attaining educational excellence. He anticipates his
final destination to be his beloved Samoa, where he hopes to serve his people in
whatever capacity he can to encourage education. Indeed, returning to Samoa will
be the crowning achievement in the life of a man who has devoted himself to his
people with his insatiable dedication to his culture and his country.
He lists his main sources of strength and motivation as his wife Rita and his
children Serafi, Charlie (currently serving an LDS mission in
Kingston, Jamaica), Tui (a recent graduate of Bountiful High School who
will attend Weber State University on a football scholarship), Leata,
Luisa, Ituau, Robin and Pina. He also credits his
extended family for their love and support.
Though Auva’a will be the last to admit, he has become a source of inspiration
to the numerous students he has taught over the years. Yes, he is analytical and
yes, he is stern but to a higher degree, he is just being a teacher and a very
good one at that!
For more information on how you can highlight someone in your community, contact
Seti Matua at Samoalives News
Alliance Bureau.