Be the change you want to see in this world

"Winning starts in the mind. Whatever the mind can conceive, it will achieve."
-Joaquin Nangauta Naputi

"Be the change you want to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi

Saturday, March 04, 2017

USCG Auxiliary Honors & Pays Respect to Auxiliarist Robert Duncan

Saying farewell to one of our own is never easy, but we will always cherish the memory of fellow Auxiliarist Robert Duncan.  Active duty and Auxiliary members of the U.S. Coast Guard paid their respects to Duncan on March 4, 2017 at the St. Francis Church in Yona.  The following are some snapshots taken during the memorial service:











Adios Anita

It is with great sadness that we bid Adios to one of UOG School of Education's finest employees. During my contract as a full-time SOE professor, I had the opportunity to chat with Anita on various occasions. She was wise, witty, amazing, and a hard worker who had the heart of gold to help fellow colleagues and ultimately the students. God bless, and rest in peace my dear friend. You will always be remembered.

RIP Anita Palomo

School Library Conference Presentation

It is always a joy to be able to make a difference in any way that I can. The following is the Certificate of Appreciation I received during the Guam Department of Education School Library Conference on March 3, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Si Yu'os Ma'ase'!

Thursday, March 02, 2017

What is poetry?

*It is a composite of poems involving unique combinations of grammar, sound, rhythm, thought, feeling, and appeals to the imagination (Canonigo, 2000).

*It is rhythm captured in words that are released by the sound of the human voice.






Source:  Canonigo, C.S. (2000). Wonderful world of poems for elementary, high school and college. Manila, P.I.: CKC Publications.

My Poetry

My imagination runs wild,
As I grab a pen and write away.
The emotions linger about,
Pushing me to set it free.
It shall be set free in the words that I write.
It shall be set free in the feelings that I express.
It shall be set free, just by knowing it is
mine.
My own thoughts,
My own words,
My own feelings --
That in itself is poetry,
Whether it is liked by others or not;
I know this to be true,
That as long as it is dear to my heart,
It's as special as can be,
And no one can deny that it is poetry!

©mnrivera



We Can Make A Difference!



















Do your best
In all that you say
In all that you do
To make your life worth living
To make a difference in the lives of others.

Realize that you're important to someone
And your genuine help from the kindness of your heart
To pick up others when the odds are stacked up against them
Gives them hope when they have none.

Remember…
If you help out others with no expectations in return
Then your life will be enriched with abundant goodness
And perhaps one day someone will be there for you too.

Living life right
Sacrificing even it hurts so much
Taking on meaningful challenges that may stab your heart a bit at times
All the while striving to be on the side with one's angel
Whom absorbs the goodness of your beautiful soul
Enables you to live a life that matters.

Keeping up the faith
Working as brothers and sisters
To make this world a better place
Moves a nation and heals our souls -
Tis the power of unity!

Remember that beauty is not dependent on your looks or wealth
But who you are deep within -
A remarkable and beautiful person filled with so much love to spread
Filled with inspirational momentum
To help others because you truly do care
Because you know it's the right thing to do
To make a difference!

And though you're hurting
Though your life is filled with strife that strikes your gentle soul
Sometimes you have to let things go even if you’re hurting deep inside.
You have to release your hold
And let things be
Because maybe it was never meant to be.

Sometimes you have to realize that you can’t take things for granted
Because when you least expect it
What you thought you had can be suddenly stolen
As if someone pulled the carpet fast from under your feet.

You have to hold your head up high even if you would rather cry.
You see, life can be very cruel
And it won’t get any better
Unless you move on with your life
Cut your losses
Invest in hope and faith
And with each day you’ll get stronger, and stronger, and stronger…

Grasp and gain the strength from deep within and trust in God
To live a life that makes a difference -
Tis the wonderful gift of life!
So join me, if you will and
Let's live a life that matters
Because together…
We can make a difference!
©mnrivera


INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE: Together, We Can Make A Difference!

Voice in Guam and Micronesia

*Poetry provides a voice for poets in the Micronesian region and beyond.  It is universal.

*We must write our poems, so that our voices can be heard and future generations can learn from the words expressed in the poems.  This will encourage them to write their own poems to share.  In doing this, we must remain authentic with a voice that captures the true meaning behind our poems.

*Above all, YOU hold the POWER of your POEM!  Let us make history with the Guam IRA and start writing!



Visit the IRA Anthology at http://iraguamanthology.blogspot.com or Guam IRA at http://iraguam.blogspot.com


Saturday, February 25, 2017

API SIG Presents at the 46th NABE Conference & More!

SNAPSHOTS TAKEN AT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION (NABE) ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP PRESENTATION:

LOCATION:  Dallas, Texas
DATES:  February 22-25, 2017

Barbara Manibusan presents her cultural presentation.

NABE API SIG 

NABE API SIG participants

Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera speaks during her presentation titled Exploring Storytelling in the Pacific.

Dr. Shu-Yuan Lin conducts her presentation titled Language Differences Vs. Disabilities.




















Thursday, February 16, 2017

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

36th Annual International PIBBA Conference to be held in Pohnpei, FSM


.
36th Annual International PIBBA Conference

OUR PACIFIC VOICES! 
June 25-29, 2017

POHNPEI, FSM

Sponsored by: Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) International and Pohnpei Chapter
The PIBBA Conference is an annual event in which Western Pacific educators are provided with opportunities for professional growth and cultural enrichment. This year's conference offers a wonderful selection of traditional, innovative, and practical workshops, presented by creative and imaginative educators and cultural leaders from the Pacific islands.



PIBBA Conference Chair:

Senator Shelten G. Neth, President, PIBBA International
.
.... For information, e-mail Senator Neth at chairman@mail.fm or pibba.international@gmail.com
.
. Download Registration Form . .

Download Presentation Form
.
Download Exhibit Form
.
Download Indigenous Teacher of the Year Packet
.
Download Pioneer of the Year Packet


Click on the image above to view the 2017 PIBBA Conference
invitation letter from President Shelten G. Neth.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

ESL Professional Development a Success!

Si Yu'os Ma'ase' to GDOE for coordinating a resourceful and engaging ESL Professional Development opportunity on January 17, 2017 at Okkodu High School!  Among the topics presented are Aimsweb management, silent stage, listening activities, Google in the classroom, teach to reach, mail merge, SIOP, and using poetry in the classroom.

Elementary Poetry Sharing at the ESL Professional Development on January 17, 2017 at Okkodu High School



Sunday, January 15, 2017

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Civil Rights Leader

No person in the entire history of African America has made as great an impact on the nation as did Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – a preacher, civil rights advocate, moral leader, idealist and realist.  Since many young people had not yet been born during Dr. King’s lifetime, and may be too young to remember, it is our duty as a community of parents and educators to teach our children of the life and work of Dr. King.  May his legacy to ensure equality continue to live on.

Thursday, January 05, 2017

Sunday, January 01, 2017

Happy New Year!


Happy New Year from around the Pacific! May the year 2017 bring you many blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! - English
Biba Añu Nuebu! – Chamorro
Feliz Año Nuevo! – Spanish
Peren En Parakapw! – Pohnpeian
Engan ke ya sasu! - Kosraean
Jeramman ilo iio in ekaal! – Marshallese
Pwapwan Ei Ier Mi Fo – Chuukese
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu – Japanese
Ungil Beches Er Rak! – Palauan
Selsalan Ebéach e duw! – Yapese
Maligayang Bagong Taon – Tagalog
Hauoli Makahiki Hou – Hawaiian
Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo! – Korean
Gung Hay Fat Choy – Chinese
Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan! – Vietnamese
Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layúi Luugh me raagh féé! – Carolinian

Image source: howtolearn.com

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Christmas 2016 Snapshots

Spending time with familia during Christmas time is priceless. Filis Pasgua yan Biba Anu Nuebu!






Thursday, December 22, 2016

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!


Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

~Minagof Nochebuena ~ Felis Pasgua (Chamorro)
~Maligayan Pasko (Tagalog)
~Peren en Krismas (Pohnpeian)
~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin (Marshallese)
~Falang e Baynag (Yapese)
~Tok Tapeng (Kosraean)
~Ungil Kurismas (Palauan)
~Pwapwan Kirisimas (Chuukese)
~Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)