With Greek heritage, a degree in modern Greek and ten years of teaching the Greek language there’s no doubt it’s all Greek to Maria Bliaf.

Greeks are invested in having their kids learn Greek. Our Greek school is like a family, sort of a very close knit school so you look forward to going to work every week.

The 30 year-old, who teaches full-time at Pinewood Primary school in Mt Waverly, as well as teaching Greek on Saturdays at the Balwyn Greek Community of Victoria, has been juggling this busy schedule for ten years and is still going full steam ahead.

The grade two primary school teacher, who now teaches preps at Greek school, started her career in education by helping out at Balwyn Greek school.

After studying a bachelor of education, majoring in Modern Greek at Melbourne’s RMIT University, Bliaf started teaching with the Greek Community, which she describes as “like a family.”

“I already spoke Greek, I had a Greek background, but my degree took it to new levels,” she said.

Ms Bliaf’s first interest was in maintaining her Greek language skills.

“I finished Greek school, and I did Greek in year 12, and then I thought I’d like to continue it at uni because it’s something that’s important to me, holding onto that Greek heart,” she said.

“Towards the end of Greek school I really did enjoy it, so I majored in modern Greek and I loved it. It was great, so I thought I wouldn’t mind teaching Greek,” she said.

“I always liked working with kids, it was something I enjoyed, they’re always happy and it’s just a nice job, and it’s very rewarding,” she said.

While at university Ms Bliaf took part in an exchange program in Crete, which saw her teaching the language in Greece.

“We taught Greek to Greek kids, that was hilarious; they’re so advanced over there,” she said.

After returning from the overseas stint Ms Bliaf decided to stick with teaching young kids.

“I started teaching grade three, now I teach preps at the Greek school.
There’s different challenges at each level. Prep is very challenging because you’re at the start and teaching them all the basics. But they’re just lovely, they’re enthusiastic all the time, and we just play games and sing songs and read stories and they love it,” she said.

Balwyn Greek community of Victoria teaches Greek from prep to year ten levels.

“It’s based on a very structured system. We have to cover certain areas throughout the year and that’s across the board of all the Greek schools. We all get together to discuss and work together to see what will benefit the kids,” Ms Bliaf said.

The Saturday classes now have over 100 children in attendance, while the creation of Monday night classes has been extremely popular, she added.

Ms Bliaf says teaching Greek is essential to maintaining heritage, regardless of what stage students are at with their Greek.

“Some kids come in with no Greek at all, most are of Greek background, some are from mixed marriages, but the kids are so enthusiastic and they love it,” she said.

“It’s lovely teaching a language because you see the children just having new experiences and they’re really into it,” she said.

Ms Bliaf said the biggest challenge is when students come in without any prior knowledge of the language.

“It’s hard when they don’t come in with a lot and basically all they’re getting is four hours a week, so that’s a bit of a challenge sometimes,” she said, adding “most parents are willing to put in the hard yards at home”. While most children do speak English at home,

Ms Bliaf said constant practice of the language outside school hours is essential.

“The Greek community is very supportive; really, whatever we ask for we get; you can always do things with the kids and you’re not held back, which is good,” she said.

With Greek teachers in demand, Ms Bliaf is very happy in her current role.

“I’d like to keep it up. Greeks are invested in having their kids learn Greek. Our Greek school is like a family, sort of a very close knit school so you look forward to going to work every week,” she said.

The young teacher doesn’t mind working six days a week.

“I think I’m just used to it, it’s part of the norm. It’s all down pat now with the Greek school. I’ve got my resources and I know what I’m doing each week,” she said.

Having a second language is an advantage, which could open doors, Ms Bliaf said but she’s happy where she is.

“If I wanted a change I could obviously move onto something else, but I think I’d like to keep at teaching,” she said.