Teacher Resource on Selected Pacific Cultural Topics (Teach ReSPCT) is a living document that has developed over several years and required the dedication of many Pacific island educators. It has passed through many hands - those of teachers, consultants, curriculum writers, cultural specialists, and reviewers. It is not a definitive document, but a reflection of the perceptions and understanding of people who are living in Pacific cultures in transition.

Teach ReSPCT is appropriately named for the respect it has earned for itself, its contributors, and its reviewers, who are listed below. Also constant through these years has been the support from PREL’s Pacific Curriculum and Instruction Council (PCIC), which consists of chiefs of curriculum and instruction from the various entities PREL serves.

Teach ReSPCT is a compendium of cultural knowledge aimed at serving the children of the Pacific, as well as teachers dedicated to promoting island cultures and knowledge. Our oral traditions have kept Pacific cultures alive within us. Teach ReSPCT is not meant to supplant these traditions, but to supplement and enhance them. We are who we are today because of what our ancestors passed on to their children. It is our responsibility as Pacific educators to impart to our children their rich heritage and customs. One cannot teach culture, but only live it.

CONTRIBUTORS

American Samoa: Dr. Lui Tuitele

Chuuk: Mr. Rioichy Johnny

CNMI: Mr. Justo Quitugua, Dr. Rita Inos

FSM National: Mr. Weldis Welley

Guam: Ms. Julie Sisson

Kosrae: Mr. Hanson Sigrah, Mr. Masaki Thomson

Marshall Islands: Mr. Tony Jetnil, Mr. Alfred Capelle

Palau: Mr. Masa-Aki Emesiochl

Pohnpei: Mr. Gideon David, Mr. Damian Sohl, Mr. Hanover Ehsa, Mr. Casiano Shoniber

Yap: Mr. Al Fanechigiy, Mr. Cal Legdesog, Mr. Leo Pugram, Mrs. Rosa Tacheliol

PREL: Dr. Kathy Busick

CloseUp Foundation: Ms. Marcia Gustafson

REVIEWERS

American Samoa
Magdalene Augafa, Pacific Educator in Residence, Ethnomathematics, PREL

Chuuk
Keres Petrus, Field-Based Reading Specialist, Regional Educational Laboratory, PREL

CNMI
* Lisa M. Benavente, Extension Nutrition Educator, Northern Marianas College

* Chailang Palacios, Health Promotion & Wellness Coordinator, CNMI Department of Public Health

* Marissa Takai, Health Promotion & Wellness Volunteer, CNMI Department of Public Health

Joe T. Limes, Administrator, Carolinian and Related Language Assistance Project

Guam
* Juanita Castaneda, Field-Based Program Specialist, Regional Educational Laboratory, PREL

Faye Untalan, Associate Professor (Department of Public Health Sciences and Epidemiology) and
Affiliate Faculty (Indo-Pacific Language Department and Pacific Island Studies Program), University of Hawaii at Manoa

Kosrae
Kemsky Sigrah, Social Studies Specialist, Division of Curriculum and Education, Kosrae Department of
Education

Willer Benjamin, Student Services Coordinator, COM-FSM Kosrae Campus

Palau
Canisius Filibert, Freely-Associated States Educational Grant Program Coordinator, PREL

Pohnpei
Rodrigo Mauricio, Program Specialist, PREL

RMI
Hannah Lafita, Reading Specialist, Regional Educational Laboratory, PREL

Yap
Fidelia Adgil, Professional Development Trainer, Yap Department of Education

Richard Mungwaath, Education Specialist, Yap Department of Education

* Reviewed Topic 1: Food.