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 20