IslanderView Digital Magazine January 2018 | Page 20

IV: Full name?
MR: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera
IV: Family?
MR: Father, Joaquin Nangauta Na-
puti; Mother, Julia Santos Naputi;
Oldest Brother, Joaquin Nangauta
Naputi, Jr.; Younger Brother, Jose
David Naputi; Sister, Felicia Jean
Naputi Hernandez
IV: How did you choose your career
or current path?
MR: Seeing the growth
and development of my own chil-
dren inspired me to the path of
teaching. This path ignited a pas-
sion in me to make a difference in
the lives of our island’s children.
IV: What’s your “Islanderview”?
MR: My Islanderview embraces lan-
guage and culture. They are a
priceless and are a part of our
identity as islanders and where we
come from. This highlights the
need for us to preserve them, so
that our children and our children’s
children will experience the rich-
ness of our native language and
culture.
IV: Who were influencers (role mod-
Thus, it is important that we em-
els) growing up?
MR: My parents served as my role
power our fellow islanders to see
models. They instilled in me the
the value and be proactive of our
passion to excel and work hard in
Chamorro culture and language,
all that I do, no matter the circum-
stances. They encouraged me to
along with an appreciation of other
keep up the faith and do my best.
cultures around the Pacific.
IV: Your AHA moment?
MR: We should never give up, de-
spite the challenges that may
come our way. Everything that we
do, whether big or small, does
make a difference. We may not
see it instantly, but eventually life
has its way of showing us that
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