By: Leilani Reklai and Summer Kennard
Clarissa Mobel, a fourth- through eighth-grade English teacher at Aimeliik Elementary School, was named Palau’s 2024 Teacher of the Year during the Ministry of Education’s conference held July 11-12 at the NgaraChamayong Center.
Each school in Palau selects its own Teacher of the Year, who is then nominated for the national award. Mobel’s dedication to her students and the community earned her recognition at both the school and national levels.
“Just like the proverbs say, it takes a village to raise a child, and that’s what we do at Aimeliik Elementary School,” Mobel said, crediting her colleagues and principal for their support.
In addition to her teaching duties, Mobel created after-school sports programs for students from both Ngatpang and Aimeliik. She is also active within the Aimeliik community.
A former U.S. veteran with a master’s degree in elementary education, Mobel expressed her gratitude for the support that allows her to make learning engaging for her students. “After all,” she said, “we are here to serve them.”
“The Teacher of the Year program has established criteria,” said Lourigene Samsel, principal of Aimeliik Elementary School. “It considers a teacher’s education, experience, and professional development. Clarissa has gone above and beyond, not just at school but also in the community. Her hard work shows that teaching is more than just a job for her. We are grateful for her contributions and look forward to having her on our team again next year.”
According to Minister of Education Dr. Dale Jenkins, recognizing exceptional educators is very important. “Teachers need recognition,” he said. “While their work can be isolating, conferences like this provide them with opportunities to connect and share experiences. The Teacher of the Year award is a two-step process. Schools choose their representatives, who are then considered for the national honor. The selection is challenging because all our teachers are excellent, but the experience of teaching five students is very different from teaching 50.”
The Teacher of the Year award includes a certificate of recognition.