Welcome to the Annual Regional Language Arts Conference (LAC) website! The LAC is an annual event in which Western Pacific educators are provided with opportunities for professional growth and enrichment in literacy.

The conference is organized by the Division of English and Applied Linguistics (DEAL) at the University of Guam, and co-sponsored by the Guam International Literacy Association. ILA members can register for the conference during their Fanuchånan (Fall) semester. Participation is limited, so we encourage you to register early.

The New Age Classroom: Adapting our Pedagogy to the Needs of Today

Click here to find out more information about the LAC: https://sway.office.com/kslCg3iKypWzq0Z2?

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Keynote Speaker

Biography: Judith T. Won Pat is a daughter of Guam and a life-long educator and public servant who has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life and education for the people of Guam. Judi’s career began as teacher in the middle school classroom. After two decades in Guam’s public school system, Judi advocated for substantive change in education public policy and was elected to the Guam Legislature. She served as a Senator for nine terms, and was elected as Speaker of the Guam Legislature for five terms. Over the course of her political career, Judi chaired several committees, including the Committee of Education, Higher Education, Culture, Public Libraires, and Women’s Affairs. Judi authored a range of initiatives, including laws authorizing the construction of public schools and facilities using innovate financing options; establishing charter schools; and, ensuring the autonomy of University of Guam and Guam Community College. Judi has forged strong local and regional relationships with leaders in various fields and continues to be an advocate for Guam, facilitating opportunities for its positive and sustainable growth. Judi’s commitment to public service remains motivated by love for her family, devotion to her island, and compassion for her community.

32nd Keynote Speakers

Dr. Thomas Yos

Dr. Thomas “Toby” Yos is a faculty member of the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education and is a specialist in Philosophy for Children (p4c). Arriving to Hawai‘i in 1991, Dr. Yos studied under p4c Hawai‘i founder Dr. Thomas Jackson and received a doctoral degree in Philosophy. Since that time Dr. Yos has been working in Hawai‘i’s public schools. He has mentored hundreds of teachers, done p4c with thousands of students, presented on p4c at numerous conferences, and done p4c workshops in both China and Japan. Having also spent two decades doing Resiliency Theory based counseling, Dr. Yos is an expert in creating p4c-based mentoring groups and the founder of Waikīkī Elementary School’s center for p4c and Social Emotional Learning.

Dr. Tammy Jones

Dr. Tammy Jones is a Project Coordinator for PALS/PLACES at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, supporting teachers to develop place-based curriculum. She is also the co-curriculum developer and co-facilitator of Try Think, a program run in the state correctional facilities and sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities. Tammy spent the first ten years of her career in education as an English teacher and Literacy Coach at James Campbell High School in ʻEwa Beach. In 2014 she transitioned into the role of middle school teacher at the School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability (SEEQS), a public charter school focused on examining essential questions of ecological systems. Since beginning her graduate studies at UHM in 2003, Tammy has worked closely with Dr. Thomas Jackson and the Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education to promote the Philosophy for Children Hawaiʻi (p4cHI) approach to thinking and learning.

31st Keynote Speaker: Dr.Kevin Colleary

Dr. Colleary is an author for McGraw-Hill Education. He is a member of the senior authorship team, which conceptualizes and writes national and state specific K-6 elementary social studies programs. He creates and provides professional development support materials and seminars for state curriculum leaders, district leadership and classroom teachers on content area reading and social studies curriculum issues. He has also served as Director of National Marketing for Benchmark Education Company in New Rochelle, New York. He served in various positions for McGraw-Hill as Senior Marketing Manager of English, National Marketing Manager of Reading/Language Arts, Director of Social Studies Curriculum, National Social Studies Consultant, and Marketing Manager of Social Studies.

30th Keynote Speaker: Mr. Leslie Cohen

Mr. Cohen will conduct a special pesentaion on Critical Thinking for Teachers. He has been a mathematics teacher, a business education professor and professional development trainer. He has also been Human Resources Director for several fortune 500 companies including Exxon and Mobil before they were ExxonMobil and for several colleges. In his well rounded career, he worked as the special assistant to the dean of the business school at University of Massachusetts and has been guest lecturer at University of Massachusetts and Amherst College and adjunct faculty.

Mr. Cohen takes very seriously mentoring young people and continuing adult education. He is a sought after speaker for team building, critical thinking and inspirational talks as well as professional development. Equally important as part of his vita, he is an avid bicyclist who has circumnavigated Nova Scotia, New York state, all the main islands in Hawaii and Manhattan, Crater Lake, OR, and many other places and is always eager to discuss riding and riding opportunities.

He has a bachelor degree in mathematics and economics from Amherst College, Amherst MA, and an MBA from Columbia University in New York City. He has also done special training at Duke and the University of Michigan.

29th Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kevin Colleary

27th LAC Keynote Speaker: Dr. Margaruite Smith

Dr. Smith is the Manager of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Hawaii and Pacific Sales and Service for McGraw-Hill Education. In that capacity, she is responsible for all aspects of teacher training, textbook and online learning sales, as well as Professional Development services for McGraw-Hill School Education educational materials, including SRA, Macmillan, Glencoe and Wright Group products to the Department of Defense Schools and to Guam, Marshall Islands, Palau, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, American Samoa, and Hawaii.

She has degrees from Texas Tech University, Texas Southern University, and the University of Denver in education and in educational administration. She has taught in every grade level 1-12, and has been an elementary administrator. She has teacher certification in reading, English as a Second Language, as well as general studies K-12.

26th LAC Keynote Speaker: Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood

Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood is a former Superintent for the Guam Department of Education (GDOE). She served as GDOE's research, planning, and evaluation administrator. She holds a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Oregon, a master's degree in education, and a bachelor of arts degree in education. She has also served as the chair of the committee to develop Guam Department of Education's master plan relative to the increase in military presence. Dr. Underwood has been a leader in the local Filipino community organizations and an advocate of Guam's quest for self-determination and has served the community as a member of the Guam Memorial Hospital's board of trustees, the Guam Humanities Council, and St. Paul Christian School's board of directors. She is also the vice chair of the Democratic Party of Guam.

25th LAC Keynote Speaker: Efren Penaflorida, CNN Hero of the Year

Penaflorida is a Filipino teacher who won the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year award for his outreach teaching project known as, "Kariton Klasrum" (pushcart classroom). He received his award from American actress Eva Mendes at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

According to Penaflorida, "Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes, and sizes. We are one great tapestry...Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need."

Language Arts Conference Committee:

Jose A. Cruz, Jr., Committee Chair, Elizabeth Rutun, Committee Co-Chair, Clarisa Quan, Committee Member, Matilda Naputi Rivera, Committee Member, Christopher Garcia, Committee Member, Catherine Stoicovy, Committee Member, Nichole Manley, Administrative Coordinator

For Language Arts Conference inquiries, please email uoglac@triton.uog.edu; riveran@triton.uog.edu or contact 735-2725.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

29th Language Arts Conference a Success!

The 29th Annual Regional Language Arts Conference held on November 18 and 19, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Guam was a success! Its theme was “Reading Writing Together: Collaborate to Callibrate.” The keynote speaker was Dr. Kevin Colleary who focused on "Reading Content, Reading Opinion, Reading Narrative: Reading ALL Sorts of Writing Together!" The plenary speaker was Dr. Margaruite Smith who focused on "Common Core Standards." The LAC was co-sponsored by the Guam Council of the International Reading Association. Enjoy the following snapshots taken during the conference!

Pictured L-R: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Guam Council IRA President/LAC Co-Chair; and Liz Pickelsimer, GDOE C&I.

IRA Board Members. Pictured L-R: Liwanag Dominguez, IRA Board Member; Lois Taitano Gumataotao, IRA Board Member; and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Guam Council IRA President/LAC Co-Chair.

IRA Chairs. Pictured L-R: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Dr. Christopher Balajadia Garcia.

IRA Board Members and Notre Dame High School National Honor Society members volunteer at the hardcover table at the LAC.

LAC Chairs and Sponsors. Pictured L-R: Dr. Avizia Long, LAC Co-Chair; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Guam Council IRA President/LAC Co-Chair; Millie Rosario, McGraw-Hill Education; Norma Tabayoyong, McGraw-Hill Education Sales Representative; Kathleen Duenas, LAC Administrative Coordinator; Dr. Margaruite Smith, McGraw-Hill Education Manager of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Hawaii and Pacific Sales and Service; Dr. Kevin Colleary, LAC Keynote Speaker/McGraw-Hill Author; Dr. Clarissa Quan, LAC Co-Chair; and Dr. Christopher Balajadia Garcia, LAC Chair. Not pictured is Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, LAC Co-Chair.

IRA Board Members. Pictured L-R: Lethia Calvo, IRA Board Member; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Guam Council IRA President/LAC Co-Chair; and Annette Raguindin, IRA Board Member.

LAC Fellowship. Pictured L-R: Dr. Avizia Long, LAC Co-Chair; Terry Perez, LAC Presenter/English Faculty; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Guam Council IRA President/LAC Co-Chair; Kisha Borja-Quichocho-Calvo, MARC/SOE Faculty; and Dr. Christopher Balajadia Garcia, LAC Chair.

LAC Presentation by Kim Fong Poon-McBrayer

Keynote Speech. Dr. Kevin Colleary says his keynote speech titled Reading Content, Reading Opinion, Reading Narrative: All Sorts of Writing Together.

LAC Chairs. Pictured L-R: Dr. Avizia Long, LAC Co-Chair; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Guam Council IRA President/LAC Co-Chair; Kathleen Duenas, LAC Administrative Coordinator; Dr. Clarissa Quan, LAC Co-Chair; and Dr. Christopher Balajadia Garcia, LAC Chair. Not pictured is Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, LAC Co-Chair.

LAC Participation. Pictured L-R: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Guam Council IRA President/LAC Co-Chair; Rose Castro, IRA Board Member; and Martha Sudo, IRA Board Member.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

28th Language Arts Conference a Success!

Enjoy the following snapshots taken during the Annual Regional Language Arts Conference held Feb. 19 and 20 at the Pacific Star Hotel.

Friday, January 1, 2016

LAC Rescheduled for February 19 & 20

University of Guam

LITERACY FOR THE CONTENT AREAS: EFFECTIVE EDUCATORS AND LIFELONG LEARNING

Annual Regional Language Arts Conference

February 19, 2016 - 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

February 20, 2016 - 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pacific Star Hotel

Invitation to Attend and Present

Call for Presentations and Workshops

Presentation Proposal Form

Registration Form

Welcome to the 28th Annual Regional Language Arts Conference (LAC) website! The LAC is an annual event in which Western Pacific educators are provided with opportunities for professional growth and enrichment in literacy.

This year's Keynote Speaker:


Dr. Kevin Colleary

Dr. Kevin Colleary is an Adjunct Assistant Professor for the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University in New York. He teaches graduate level courses in educational foundations, philosophy and history of education as well as content area reading methods for science (STEM) and social studies. He works with elementary pre-service science, social studies and reading teachers in public and private schools including supporting them in internship and student teaching roles through supervision, mentoring and classroom instruction. In addition, he works closely with school administrators and classroom teachers on issues related to Common Core State Standards. He has also taught at Hunter College in New York and Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Dr. Colleary is an author for McGraw-Hill Education. He is a member of the senior authorship team, which conceptualizes and writes national and state specific K-6 elementary social studies programs. He creates and provides professional development support materials and seminars for state curriculum leaders, district leadership and classroom teachers on content area reading and social studies curriculum issues. He has also served as Director of National Marketing for Benchmark Education Company in New Rochelle, New York. He served in various positions for McGraw-Hill as Senior Marketing Manager of English, National Marketing Manager of Reading/Language Arts, Director of Social Studies Curriculum, National Social Studies Consultant, and Marketing Manager of Social Studies.
If you are interested in presenting or attending, it is important that you return the forms with your check/payment immediately. We have a limit of 300 participants. Last year, many were turned away because we reached capacity before the registration deadline. Don't let this weekend go without signing up. We look forward to seeing you there!

CALL FOR PROPOSAL DEADLINE: November 3, 2015

You can also earn two (2) ED894 graduate credit/CEUs. You must register for the conference before you register for the graduate credits at the Professional International Programs, 2nd floor, MARC/Computer Center/PIP Building, Room #217. For more information, call 735-2601 or fax 734-1233. You can also e-mail the Instructor, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, at mnrivera1@yahoo.com

Contact LAC Committee Chairpersons:

Dr. Christopher Garcia: guamchrisgarcia@gmail.com

Dr. Clarisa Quan: risaquan@yahoo.com

Dr. Catherine Stoicovy: stoicovy@guam.net

Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera: mnrivera1@yahoo.com

Dr. Michelle Santos: msantos@uguam.uog.edu

Administrative Coordinator:

Kathleen Duenas

E-mail: kduenas@triton.uog.edu