In spite of the changes that 100 years of Americanization have produced, the American Samoa people overwhelmingly identify themselves with their culture. They are proud to be Samoan; they are committed to the "fa'a-Samoa" or the Samoan way of life. The desire to balance American ways with the unique values that make up the Samoan sense of identity presents important challenges to the people of American Samoa. In this article, the author explores how this problem has permeated the educational system, especially raising important questions about how Samoans should prepare teachers in their community. The author counts the costs to American Samoa of linking educational policies and actions so closely to U.S. thinking. She argues passionately that Samoans must take a more indigenous approach to education and educational reform. If one of the vital responsibilities of the public schools of American Samoa is to transmit the culture, language, and values of its society, then it is important that the people who teach in the schools are properly prepared to discharge this important task.