Jill Gavin

Typically my year is divided into tutoring for six to nine months in the tertiary sector and volunteer teaching and travelling for around three months. I am currently teaching in the Tertiary Preparation Program to overseas students at the Australian Catholic University, my second placement in the tertiary sector. My background prior to that was teaching English in schools, including mainstream HSC and ESL at secondary level (in Australia) and primary level (in England). I also had a Level 1 swimming coach qualification which has now lapsed. My volunteering has included teaching English from village level to the National University in Timor Leste for the last 8 years for periods of a month to two and a half months. On an on-going basis, I also audio-describe plays for the blind for Vision Australia. My travels have been extensive both in Australia and overseas. As an update for 2021, the absence of overseas students at university means that I have effectively retired from paid work. 2020 saw me volunteering through AHVISE on a property out of Charters Towers, teaching three boys aged 10, 8 and 6. This was a valuable experience for all of us educationally and personally and the family and I remain in touch. It was rewarding finding ways to help these young boys engage with the curriculum and make the most of their talents.