What's your name and job?
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Sandra Volk. I’m an English Language teacher at Bendigo TAFE. I also coordinate the Adult Migrant English Program Volunteer Tutor Scheme in Bendigo, which supports English language students to learn English with a one-on-one tutor outside the classroom.
How long have you been doing that for?
I’ve been a teacher for five years, working at Bendigo TAFE and community centres in Melbourne.
What are you doing today?
Working at home preparing for the teaching year ahead, getting distracted by watching the Australian Open tennis on TV and a book I can’t put down (Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty).
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
I volunteered as an English language tutor in Footscray and was looking for a career change – there was a high demand for qualified English Language teachers in Melbourne, so I went back to Uni for two years while working.
I previously worked in Communications so had a fair grasp of the English language. I love working with people, languages and learning about different cultures.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Making a difference to the lives of people who may not have had the same opportunities as me, working with other motivated and passionate people, flexibility, continually learning new things including grammar rules I never knew existed…
What’s your passion? What do you really care about?
I love rural and regional Victoria and believe it’s a much better life than city living - which is why I keep coming back to Bendigo. I’m passionate about the fact that not everyone has the same opportunities in life, that we live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and have a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate.
I’m also learning the ukulele and am keen to start a group at Bendigo TAFE – if anyone has a ukulele to donate, please drop this off at the English Language department!
What’s your Bendigo story?
I moved here from Quambatook with my family as a 14-year-old and went to Eaglehawk and Bendigo High Schools. I’ve since come and gone many times, living in Warrnambool, Darwin, London, Canberra and Melbourne – but keep coming back!
What do you do on your Saturday morning?
Drink iced coffee. Visit my mother to do the Good Weekend Quiz. Aim to make it to a gym class at the Peter Krentz Leisure Centre.
What’s your guilty pleasure TV show of choice?
At the moment, the Australian Open tennis, wishing I was young and fit! Other than that, I live in Eaglehawk so would instead go to the Star Cinema.
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