About Us
We are a team of professionals
Our Story
The Modern Greek Language Teachers Association of South Australia (MGLTASA) is a professional association committed to supporting and promoting the teaching and learning of Modern Greek language and culture.
Our association brings together educators from a range of educational settings who share a passion for Greek language education and cultural understanding. We aim to create opportunities for collaboration, professional growth and advocacy while fostering a strong and connected teaching community.
MGLTASA supports teachers through professional learning opportunities, resource sharing, networking events and partnerships within the language education community.
Excellence in language education
Collaboration and professional support
Meet Our Committee
Our committee is made up of dedicated educators and volunteers who generously contribute their time, experience and passion to support Greek language education in South Australia.
Maria Batzavalis
President MGLTASA
Paraskevi Siafaris
Vice President MGLTASA
Tina Photakis
Secretary MGLTASA
Maria Batzavalis
Maria is a passionate and experienced middle and senior school teacher with over 25 years of expertise in teaching Modern Greek across all year levels. She has worked in a diverse range of educational settings and has undertaken leadership roles in Language Education, Career Pathways, the SACE, the PAC, and mentoring, among others.
She has also contributed significantly as a member of various advisory committees, professional associations, and community organisations, valuing the rich knowledge gained through collaboration. Maria remains committed to enhancing student learning by creating meaningful and engaging educational experiences, and she is a strong advocate for the promotion and development of language education in our state.
Why did you join the MGLTASA committee?
As a long-standing member of the MGLTASA, I feel a strong responsibility to support the Association’s continued growth and its capacity to provide meaningful assistance to educators of the Modern Greek language and culture across our state. I am confident that, with our current team of dedicated professionals, we have begun to implement new initiatives that offer practical support for Modern Greek education in South Australia, benefiting both present and future generations.
Paraskevi Siafaris
Paraskevi is an experienced educator with over two decades of teaching experience across Greece and Australia, specialising in Modern Greek and English language education. Following an extensive teaching career in Greece, she furthered her studies in Australia to deepen her professional practice and broaden her educational perspective. She currently teaches Modern Greek and English at Adelaide High School and has taught Modern Greek (predominantly SACE levels) within Community Language Schools for nine years. Her work is guided by a commitment to fostering cultural intelligence, promoting language learning, and creating meaningful learning experiences that strengthen students’ linguistic, literary, and intercultural understanding.
Paraskevi is also actively involved in educational leadership and advocacy for Greek language education. Since 2023, she has served as Vice President of the Modern Greek Language Teachers Association, supporting educators, fostering professional collaboration, and contributing to the growth and sustainability of Modern Greek language education within the broader educational community.
Why did you join the MGLTASA committee?
Being part of the MGLTASA committee allows me to support and promote Modern Greek language education while collaborating with educators who share a common vision. Together, we work towards creating opportunities for collaboration and the professional development of Modern Greek educators, ensuring language sustenance through learner engagement.
Tina Photakis
Tina has always been passionate about the teaching and promotion of the Modern Greek language and culture. Throughout her teaching career, she has valued creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences that encourage students to develop a strong connection to the Greek language, identity and cultural heritage. Tina’s specialist teaching roles have included Music in the Early Years, teaching Greek in the Primary Years, and working as a choir trainer for the Public Schools Music Festival. These experiences have allowed her to combine language, music and culture in ways that foster creativity, confidence and a love of learning in students. Tina’s involvement with the Modern Greek Language Teachers Association of South Australia (MGLTASA) began many years ago when she served as Secretary of the association. Working alongside dedicated educators gave her a deep appreciation for the importance of collaboration, professional support and advocacy for Modern Greek language education. Today, Tina is proud to once again serve as Secretary on the renewed MGLTASA committee, supporting educators and promoting the Modern Greek language and culture.
Why did you join the MGLTASA committee?
I joined the MGLTASA committee and returned to the role of Secretary because I believe in the legacy of the association and the importance of preserving and strengthening it for future educators and students. I also believe strongly that teacher associations play an important role in supporting teachers professionally and through advocacy, especially for our subject area of Modern Greek.
Dimitra Rozaklis
Treasurer MGLTASA
Lazaros Gialamas
Committee Member
Aleka Papakostas
Committee Member
Dimitra Rozaklis
Dimitra is a dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience teaching Modern Greek language and culture. She is deeply passionate about fostering a love of the Greek language and is committed to supporting its growth and future in South Australia.
Dimitra places community at the heart of her teaching practice, actively engaging with both local and international Greek communities to create meaningful, real-world learning experiences for her students. Through these connections, she brings language to life by developing “living histories” that connect learners with authentic cultural narratives.
Dimitra has also led a number of Greek Study Tours, providing students with immersive opportunities to experience the language and culture firsthand. Her work reflects a strong belief in the power of language to connect people, build identity, and strengthen cultural understanding across generations.
Why I joined the MGLTASA committee?
I joined the committee in 2011 to contribute to the growth and sustainability of Modern Greek language education and to connect with like-minded educators.
Lazaros Gialamas
Lazaros is a Modern Greek Language, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), and English teacher at Unley High School, a position he has held since 2022. During this time, he has also served as the school representative for the Unley High School Greek Parents’ Committee and as a Greek Dance Group teacher, helping foster an inclusive environment that encourages young people from all backgrounds to engage with Hellenic language and culture. Born and raised in Adelaide, Lazaros has maintained a strong connection to the Greek community through his involvement with the Pontian community in his youth. He graduated from Flinders University with a double degree in Education and Languages (Modern Greek and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages – TESOL), where he was a recipient of the LOGOS Scholarship. At the completion of his studies he was awarded a Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation. Lazaros has been a member of the Modern Greek Language Teachers Association of South Australia committee since 2023, contributing to the development and delivery of professional learning opportunities that support and strengthen Modern Greek language education across South Australia.
Why did you join the MGLTASA committee?
I wanted to contribute further in preserving and promoting our language within the education system. I know that without language, our identity is diminished. It is our responsibility to connect present and future generations and strengthen their passion for language, community and culture.
Aleka Papakostas
Aleka is an experienced Health & Physical Education teacher and Deputy Principal at Prophet Elias Greek School, a position she has held since 2014. With extensive experience across both mainstream and Community Language Schools, she also serves as the SACE Coordinator for Modern Greek. She was nominated for the CLSSA Secondary Teacher of the Year Award in 2018 in recognition of her contribution to language and culture education. Born in Sydney and raised in Greece, Aleka graduated with a scholarship from the University of Athens in 1990 and completed postgraduate studies through the American College of Sports Medicine, specialising in obesity. She has contributed to curriculum development for Years 7–10 in beginner-level Modern Greek. For ten years, she authored articles on Health and Wellbeing for the Greek national newspaper “BHMA” and the magazine “VITA”. A passionate educator and cultural advocate, she is also a specialist in Greek Traditional Dance and teaches it within the Greek community.
Why did you join the MGLTASA committee?
Being part of the committee allows me to collaborate with a dedicated team of professionals who share a common vision. Together, we exchange ideas, develop initiatives, and work towards strengthening Greek language education for current and future generations.
Chrysoula Melissinaki
Committee Member
Chrysoula Melissinaki
Chrysoula is an experienced teacher of the Greek language, with many years of service in schools. She holds a bachelor's degree in Greek Language and Culture and a master's degree in Greek Philosophy from the University of Crete. With dedication and a deep love for teaching, she has made a meaningful contribution to promoting Greek education among her students. She is an active member of the Modern Greek Language Teachers Association in Adelaide, as she strongly believes in the value of collaboration and the exchange of knowledge among educators.
For Chrysoula, the Greek language is a priceless treasure that connects the past with the present and the future. She believes that teachers have a responsibility to preserve it and pass it on to future generations. Through her participation in this Association, she seeks to strengthen this mission, drawing on both her experience and her enthusiasm. Despite the challenges and difficulties involved in learning the Greek language, she remains optimistic and committed to her work.
Why I joined the MGLTASA committee?
I participate in MGLTASA because I value my colleagues’ expertise in teaching the Greek language, as well as their genuine passion for Greek literature. At the same time, I recognise the significant efforts they make to preserve and promote the Greek language in our state.
