The University of Guam's 22nd Annual Regional Language Arts Conference (LAC), which was held Friday and Saturday, November 6 & 7, 2009 at UOG and the Guam Marriott Resort and Spa was a success! The theme of the conference was "Multicultural Approaches in Language Arts Education." The LAC is an opportunity for professional growth and enrichment in literacy for educators in the Western Pacific region. Presentations focused on reading and writing across the content areas with particular attention on approaches in the multicultural context. Thus, it offered workshops and presentations that promote creative multicultural approaches to language arts, technology, assessment, literacy, and more!
The participants were treated to insightful speeches conducted by Keynote Speakers Drs. Nancy Updegraff and Nancy Hayward. Updegraff, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Special Consultant, proudly holds three doctorate degrees and eight master's degrees in the areas of Urban Education, English, Learning Disabilities, Reading Psychology, and Professional Development. Hayward is Professor of English at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and on the faculty in the Composition and TESOL Graduate programs. Her professional expertise includes composition theory and practice, multiculturalism, and sociolinguistics.
The various meaningful presentations and workshops included the following:
*Digital Storytelling Made Easy! By Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, & Professor Julie Fee
*The (His)Story Of English & The Language Arts Teacher By Dr. Clarisa Quan
*Conceptualization Of High And Low Cultures On The Island Of Guam: A Case Study With Micronesian Educators On Their Perceptions, Attitudes, Beliefs, And Performance Of Multi-Cultures In School And Community Contexts By Dr. Ye Kyoung Kim
*Class Exercise Tools On The Internet: Quia By Toyoko Kang
*What All Teachers Need To Know About English Language Learners By Elizabeth Hamilton
*Kairos & Multiculturalism By Mr. Tom Maxedon
*Using Internet Tools To Enhance Multicultural Education By Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, With UOG Students Josephine Mesa Cruz, Nadine Cruz, Marife Fernandez, Cindy Galvez, Alan Jamison, Devin Paciente, Tessa Pfahler, Darlene Quichocho, Angela Sablan, Ceria Santos, & Yolanda Tabayoyong
*Engaging With Google Interactive Docs By Dr. Jacqui Cyrus
*Mathematics - The Universal Language. Is It Really? By Grazyna Badowski
*A Panel Of Poets By Dr. Chris Schreiner, With Travis Brown, Joanna Caqsi, Jolene Mendiola, Jajae Sabangan, Heather Peredo, Faith Realica, Johnavan Tamayo
*Myths About Dyslexia By Dr. Deane Jesse-Jones
*Putting The Spotlight On Readers’ Theater By Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, With Faye Kaible, Mary Jane Alegre, Christine Joy Borja, Marife Fernandez, & Geraldine Sablan
*Second Language Teaching Methodology: A Discourse Analysis Siop Teacher Talk In Secondary Classrooms Based Ona Text Coding Method By Dr. Ye Kyoung Kim, Julia Shore, Toni Salas, & Roy Leon Guerrero
Project Håtsa and UOG’s English Curriculum: Course Objectives and Motives To Teach As Predictors Of Pre-Service Success By Professor Sharleen Santos-Bamba & Dr. Kyle Smith
Interdisciplianry Reading Strategies Through The Use Of Technology By Dr. Kelle Murphy & Dr. Sweeter Sachuo
*Using Culture to Teach Comprehension by Dr. Nancy Updegraff
*The Problem With Word Problems Is The Words! By Maria C. Gozum, Cecilia Padios, Arleen B. Suplido
*The I-Search Process: A Culturally Responsive Approach To Develop Student Writing Skills By Dr. Velma Sablan
*Three Essential Practices For Teaching English Language Learners Effectively By Elizabeth Hamilton
*Pronunciations: Common And Humorous Mistakes By Dr. Mike Griffin
*UOG’s M.A. In English Program: An Introduction To The University Of Guam’s Master Of Arts Program In English By Dr. Jason Vest
*Critical Reading And Effective Writing In The Multicultural Classroom By Grace Griffin
*Teaching And Learning, Up Close And Personal: When Technology Is Not Enough! By Professor Pauline Baird
*Assessing Student Achievement: The Tamuning Elementary School’s, Reaching For Excellence Award By Dr. Jose Q. Cruz & Mrs. Kathy Reyes, Principal, Tamuning Elementary School.
*Secrets Of Success On The English Placement Test By Rick Zimmerman
*Language Backpack: Using Culture To Develop Strategies For Second Language Learners
*Sociolinguistics Of Language Teaching: Issues & Polemics
*Teaching And Learning Language Arts In Diverse Populations:
*What Is Unique And Special About It? By Dr. George Kallingal
*What Every Teacher Should Know About Criminal Law By Professor Mylene Lopez, Esq.
*Teaching Literature To High School Students By Dr. Yao Xin Chang
A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO ALL THE EDUCATORS, PRESENTERS, SPONSORS, COMPANIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO MADE THE LANGUAGE ARTS CONFERENCE A SUCCESS! LAC SNAPSHOTS...
IRA Donation to LAC: The International Reading Association (IRA) Guam Council donated $1,500 to the Language Arts Conference. Pictured above L-R: Grace Griffin, IRA Guam Council President; Dr. James Sellmann, Acting Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS); Dr. Clarisa Quan, LAC Co-Chair; and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, LAC Co-Chair. Not pictured are LAC Co-Chairs Dr. Catherine Stoicovy; Dr. Beth Somera; Troy McVey, CLASS Associate Dean; Dr. Elizabeth Hawthorne, SOE Dean; and Debbie Respicio, LAC Administrative Coordinator.
LAC Volunteers: Pictured above L-R: Frederick Varias, LAC Volunteer; Isabella Dendy, LAC Volunteer; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, LAC Co-Chair and Presenter; Kaori Isozaki, LAC Volunteer; and Robert Kilgore, LAC Volunteer.
Pictured above: Proclamation signing for the 28th Annual International PIBBA Conference at the Governor's Conference Room. L-R front row seated: Carmen Weaver, Rosa Salas Palomo, Lt. Governor Mike Cruz, Governor Felix Camacho, and Dr. Jose Q. Cruz. Back row L-R: Teresita Flores, Maria Cruz, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Carol Cepeda, Marife Fernandez, Mye Ganan Flores, Risa Salas Miguel, Zander Refilong, Joseph Mafnas, and Antonia Salas. 
Pictured above L-R: Zander Refilong, PIBBA steering committee member; Lt. Governor Bill Tosie of Kosrae; PIBBA President Shelten Neth; and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA steering committee member.
Pictured above L-R: Teresita Flores, PIBBA steering committee member; Joe Mafnas, PIBBA steering committee member; Frances Sablan, PIBBA secretary; Alister Tolenoa, Kosrae delegation; and Carmen Weaver, PIBBA steering committee member. 
