The Modern Greek Teachers' Association of Victoria (MGTAV) was established in 1971, and is the professional association for Modern Greek Language Teachers and Pre-Service Teachers. The MGTAV represents Modern Greek Language Teachers from Government, Independent, Catholic, and Community Language Schools, as well as across all levels of education.
Our main goal is to empower Modern Greek Language Teachers in their teaching of the language, and to support and enhance Greek language programs throughout Victoria. Apart from providing quality professional development for Modern Greek Language Teachers, the MGTAV also:
maintains and promotes Greek language and culture by being in contact with Educational Institutions in Australia and Greece;
assists Greek language programs in overcoming any issues that may arise by providing advice, guidance and support;
participates in discussions and proposals that concern the teaching of languages generally, but also specifically to Modern Greek;
promotes Greek language and culture through publications and interviews in mass media publications and broadcasts;
and, has close ties and professional relationships with tertiary institutions in Greece, which allows the development of further materials, as well as promotes in-country study programs for Modern Greek Language Teachers.
The MGTAV is a not for profit association, and committee members volunteer their time and expertise to support the teaching and learning of Modern Greek.
At the AGM on 11 October 2020, the members below were elected onto the committee.
As of June 2021, the Committee has introduced a paid 'Administration Officer' role.
As of July 2021, there have been some changes to Office Bearers.
Office Bearers
President: Anita Ladas
B.A., DipLang, MTeach, BA (Modern Greek) (Hons)
Anita Ladas is qualified teacher of Modern Greek, currently teaching Greek at Alphington Grammar School and has had experience teaching Greek at Community Language Schools as well as day schools over the last seven years. Anita has completed research looking into the teaching of Modern Greek in Melbourne during her Greek Honours' year. Anita has been a member of the MGTAV for a number of years, and became an active member of the committee in 2017. Anita has been President of the MGTAV since 2018.
vice president: sofia chaniotaki
Greek Philology, B.A., Spanish Language & Culture, B.A., Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, M TESOL
Sofia Chaniotaki is a qualified teacher of Modern and Ancient Greek and has successfully completed her Master's Degree pursuing her thesis in the field of Sociolinguistics. She has had experience teaching Modern Greek at Community Language Schools in Melbourne over the past five years and has been Secretary of the MGTAV for the last two years. Sofia is a graduate researcher at LaTrobe University preparing a handbook for English speaking learners of Modern Greek.
secretary: denise diakodimitriou
B.A., DipEd
Denise is an experienced teacher of Greek, currently employed at Alphington Grammar School and is passionate about promoting and maintaining the Greek language. Denise has taught at Alphington Grammar School for over 20 years and has also been the Head of Languages for the last five years. Denise has taught in several community schools and taken part in in-country professional development opportunities. She has been an active member of the MGTAV for many years, often presenting at the VCE Lectures and assisting at events or helping create student competitions such as the Dimosthenia. In addition to this, she has served many terms as Secretary for the MGTAV in the past.
Chrisoula is qualified teacher of Modern Greek and History who has had experience teaching at Greek Community Language schools as well as day schools that teach Modern Greek and Humanities. Chrisoula was Secretary for the MGTAV for an extended period of time and has been an active committee member for many years.
Kristian raspa
B.A., MCrim., MTeach
Kristian Raspa is a qualified teacher of Modern Greek with a decade of experience teaching at Community Language Schools as well as public schools. He has been Treasurer of the MGTAV for the last two years and an active member for the last seven years. Kristian's researching interests lie in teaching Greek in the secondary sector, and in particular the linguistic challenges students learning Greek face.
eva o'hehir
B.A., DipEd Eva is a qualified secondary teacher who has been working in a public school for the last 35 years teaching Greek and Humanities. Her interest and passion is to continue to maintain and promote the teaching of the Greek language and culture to all students wanting to learn another language at high school level in the public sector.
The MGTAV sincerely thanks the outgoing Office Bearers, Kiki Kousourakis, Ana Koutsouroupas, Katholiki Giordamnis and Kristian Raspa, for their invaluable contributions and dedication to the Association.
Honorary Members
Honorary Membership has been awarded to the following educators for their dedicated and significant contribution to the work of the MGTAV over an extended period of time.
