Buenas! After the Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference in Majuro, I stayed one week in Pohnpei to visit my Rosario and Neth families and view the beauty this amazing island possesses! Enjoy the following snapshots, which include just a fraction of the wonderful experience I will always remember.

AMAZING POHNPEI SNAPSHOTS

Pictured above: PIBBA participants from Guam and Pohnpei are ready to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 29th Annual International PIBBA Conference at the RMI International Conference Center on June 22, 2010. Pictured front row L-R: Shelten G. Neth, Frances Sablan, Julia Shore, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, and Jacqueline Hazen. Back row: Nelsin Iriarte, Koshy Reuney, Dr. Arlene S. Diaz, and Marie Salas.

Pictured above: PIBBA recipients for the Teacher of the Year and Pioneer of the Year were awarded on June 24, 2010.




Pictured above: PIBBA participants show off the coconut-weaving artifacts they made, as part of the presentation titled, Using Coconut Weaving in Guam Classrooms to Improve the Language Arts and Mathematics Skills of Local Students presented by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Kos Reuney, ESL Coordinators from the Guam Department of Education.

Pictured above: PIBBA presenters prepare themselves for their scheduled presentations. Pictured L-R: Dr. Greg Tainatongo, Kos Reuney, Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, and Julia Shore.


Pictured above: The Majuro Atoll Local Government Choir perform during the PIBBA Conference Opening Ceremony held June 22, 2010 at the RMI International Convention Center.


Pictured above: Marshall Islands Choir and Special Education Students perform during the PIBBA Conference Opening Ceremony held June 22, 2010 at the RMI International Convention Center.

Pictured above: Pohnpei presenters pose during their Values Behind Proverbs workshop. Pictured L-R: Maria Donre, Nelsin Iriarte, and Rickson Higgins.

Pictured above: Jaqueline Hazen from the Island Research and Education Initiative (IREI) introduced several sets of bilingual books developed in collaboration with local educators and linguists in the four states of FSM. Pictured L-R: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Nelsin Iriarte, Hazen, and Kos Reuney.


The 29th Annual International Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference was filled with cultural excitement that has left a lasting impression for all participants from across the Pacific region! The conference theme, “Reviving the Languages and Cultures of the Pacific – Kubwij Buni Eo” was highlighted in each of the conference days from June 22-25, 2010 in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Each day featured the gathering of participants presenting cultural presentations, songs, and entertainment. Of course, the conference also highlighted PIBBA’s song, which includes all the languages of the region, such as the following chorus: “Iokwe, Raan Annim, Kaselehlia, Alii, Aloha, Olomwaay, Hafa Dei, Tuwoh, Mogethin, Talofa.”

Among the entities that attended the conference are Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Chuuk, CNMI, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Yap, and Guam. The mission of PIBBA is to bring these entities together to promote cultural and language activities by disseminating information, involving communities, and encouraging quality education programs through the western Pacific.

The first night of the PIBBA Conference featured a cultural opening ceremony that was held at the RMI International Conference Center and special dinner hosted by President Jurelang Zedkeia and First Lady Hannah Jurelang Zedkaia. The familiar “Yokwe” could be heard throughout the walls of the center. The evening included a special cultural dance and appearance by the Paramount Chief, welcoming remarks by Honorable Titus Langrine, special message from His Excellency Irooj Jurelang Zedkeia delivered by Acting President Amenta Matthew, special address by Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber, remarks by PIBBA President Rosa Salas Palomo, a closing prayer by Rev. Enja Enos, introductions by Immediate Past-President Shelten Neth and emcee Molly Helkena, chanting by Willie Mwekto, and performances by the Marshall Islands High School Choir/Special Education students and Majuro Atoll Local Government Choir.

The second through fourth days of the PIBBA Conference were held at the Marshall Islands High School, which began with breakfast, entertainment, announcements, guest speakers, and acknowledgements. The second day featured guest speaker and RMI 2010 Pioneer of the Year, Alfred Capelle, followed by various cultural and educational/language workshops.

The third day featured guest speaker Dr. Hilda Heine, followed by various cultural and educational/language workshops, and a special awards ceremony for the Indigenous Teacher of the Year and Pioneer of the Year for each of the entities.

The final day of the conference featured guest speaker US Ambassador Martha Campbell, followed by additional cultural and educational/language workshops. The PIBBA International Business Meeting was later conducted, and the new PIBBA officers were elected. The new position of webmaster was also introduced during the business meeting. The newly elected PIBBA Officers include the following:

President: Cheta Anien
President-Elect: Senator Kathy Kesolei
Secretary: Frances Sablan
Treasurer: Shelten G. Neth
International Historian: Dr. Marilyn Salas
Webmaster: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera
Immediate Past-President: Rosa Salas Palomo

The day ended with a silent auction of cultural arts & crafts and a closing ceremony and dinner hosted at the RMI International Convention Center. It featured meaningful traditional performances and presentation of gifts from all the Pacific entities.

We extend a big “Kommool Tata” to all PIBBA Conference steering committee members, and all the entities that joined us to make the 29th Annual International PIBBA Conference a memorable event that will always be remembered for years to come! Thank you! Kommool! Si Yu’os Ma’ase’! Kalahngan! Kinissow! Mesulang! Kammagar!

Happy 4th of July to one and all! God Bless all veterans & those who serve in the Armed Forces, because thanks to them, we are experiencing the freedom that we have. God Bless you all, and God Bless the USA!

Hafa Adai! Check out the IslanderView.com ezine to discover various important and interesting information regarding our beautiful island of Guam and the rest of the wondrous Pacific entities that surround us. The ezine's Publisher, Vera Dela Cruz, and her team have done an inspirational job to keep us informed in the Pacific. In addition, this month's feature story includes an article on yours truly, so I hope you'll take the time to read it at http://islanderview.com/ or http://islanderview.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Interview_with_Dr_Matilda_Naputi_Rivera-June.159220152.pdf If you haven't visited IslanderView.com yet, visit it now, and I'm confident that you'll enjoy viewing it too! Un Dangkulo Na Si Yu'os Ma'ase'!

Click on the image above to get a larger view of the above important announcement.

Pictured L-R: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Guam IRA Webmaster; Nancy Bo Flood, Author of Warriors in the Crossfire; and Julia Naputi Rivera, Guam IRA Member, pose during an IRA autograph session held May 15, 2010 at the Guam Reef Hotel.

The Guam Council of the International Reading Association (IRA) received honorable awards during IRA's 55th Annual Convention held in Chicago. The rewards that were awarded include Honor Council and Honor Roll. Please see the awards above. IRA is to be commended on making a difference in the literacy development of our island's children of all ages.

IRA helps educators and parents alike discover the wonder and the worlds to be found in books. Guam IRA is a professional organization for individuals who are genuinely concerned with the development of reading programs for children and adults. It is a group of people who work together to improve literacy and reading instruction in Guam and Micronesia. To find out more information about the Guam IRA, visit its website at http://iraguam.blogspot.com/.

Click on the image below to view the Guam International Reading Association's May 2010 Newsletter. If you are unable to view the newsletter, visit its website at http://iraguam.blogspot.com/. Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day to all of our Special MOMS out there! God Bless you for all
that you are and all that you do to care for your loved ones, being a
special part of our family, and so much more!

Nancy Bo Flood

Nancy Bo Flood will be the featured speaker at the May 15 meeting of the Guam Council of the International Reading Association at the Guam Reef Hotel. Ms. Flood is the author of Warriors in the Crossfire, a new young adult novel set on Saipan during WWII. The meeting will begin at 8:00 am with registration and breakfast. Dottie Winterle will have copies of her new book, Silent and Forgotten, The Legend of the Navajo Warrior, available and the book's illustrator, Viktoria Sayre, will be there, too.

The program includes the induction of new officers for the Guam Council, a scene from "Little shop of Horrors" presented by the National Forensic League of Okkodo High School, and a special recognition of our gracious sponsors this year, Continental Airlines, MCV Cable Cares, The Pacific Daily News, and The Bank of Guam.
The meeting will conclude at 11:00 am with door prize raffles, including books, teaching materials and a laptop computer for those who sign up for IRA membership for next year 2010-2011.

The UOG School of Education's ED644 students celebrated the literacy success of the children they assessed and tutored in Fall 2009 and Spring 2010. Their theme was Colors of Reading. Enjoy the snapshots below!

Hemrick, Josh, and Imara

The Colors of Reading Theme!

Hemrick, Josh, and Imara - TAKE 2!

Our Favorite Colors Theme!

Faye and Imara

Yolie and Josh

Alan and Hemrick

Faye and Imara - TAKE 2!

Yolie and Josh - TAKE 2!

Alan and Hemrick - TAKE 2!

Celebration Time!

Celebration Time - TAKE 2!

Congratulations to the newly-elected UOG Alumni Association Officers! We thank all the candidates who ran for office, and we look forward to the leadership of the new officers. The induction ceremony for the new officers will be held by the end of May.

NEWLY ELECTED UOG ALUMNI ASSOCATION OFFICERS:

PRESIDENT - Robert Paulino

VICE PRESIDENT - Angelica Diaz

TREASURER - Yolanda Calvo

SECRETARY - Nathan Taimanglo


We thank the following officers who will be ending their term soon:

Pictured above L-R: Toni Aflague, Secretary; Jennifer Sanchez, President; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Vice President; and James Underwood, Treasurer.

PDK Mini-Conference Online Education Presentation: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, and Michelle Bednarzyk, received a certificate for their panel presentation at the Phi Delta Kappa Online Education Mini-Conference on April 24, 2010 at the Guam Reef Hotel.

Pictured L-R: George Pereda, PDK; Dr. Stoicovy; Bednarzyk; Dr. Rivera; and Doreen Pereda, PDK.

2010 Professional Leadership Conference Presentation: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao received a certificate for their workshop presentation titled Using Literature to Promote Healthy Habits during the Child Care Givers 2010 Professional Leadership Conference themed “Beyond Quality Care: Promoting Healthy Behaviors in Young Children.” Rivera also presented a technology workshop titled Using Digital Storytelling to Promote Healthy Habits. The conference was sponsored by the Guam Child Care and Development Association, Association for Childhood Education International, and UOG’s School of Education Early Childhood Program, on April 9 and 10 at the University of Guam’s School of Education and Lecture Hall.


Pictured L-R: Gumataotao and Dr. Rivera.