2021 STANSW Executive

PRESIDENT
​Kati Varela
presidentesta@gmail.com

Originally from Venezuela, Kati has called Sydney home since 2001. Kati trained in computer graphics in France and worked in that area for about 5 years. She has taught both French and Spanish to adults, primary and secondary school students since 1998. Kati currently teaches Spanish at the NSW School of Languages. She is also the current MLTA NSW Media and AFMLTA Liaison Officer, has served as Information Officer for the AFMLTA, and has fulfilled the role of Professional Development Officer and Secretary for the MLTA NSW. Kati strongly believes engaged professional collaboration and sharing is the key to making the Languages teaching profession stronger and increasingly viable in Australia.

VICE PRESIDENT
Juliette Bates
vicepresidentestansw@gmail.com

Juliette Bates has been teaching Spanish & French at International Grammar School for over ten years. 
After graduating at UNSW with First Class Honours in Spanish & Latin American Studies, she went on to join the teaching community. 
She examines, marks and judges the HSC for Spanish Continuers and she is a keen member of the Spanish Teachers’ Association.

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TREASURER
​Irina Braun
treasurerspanishstansw@gmail.com

Irina is a Highly Accomplished teacher and has been teaching French and Spanish at International Grammar School for over 15 years. She is high school trained in Germany with more than 10 years teaching experience overseas before moving to Australia in 2002. Before working at IGS, Irina taught the IB at the German International School.
She is a founding member of the STANSW and loves to get involved in promoting the Spanish language. She is passionate about Differentiation and Aboriginall and Torres Strait Islander Education.

SECRETARY
Michele Storrie
​
secretarystansw@gmail.com

​Michele teaches at SCEGGS Darlinghurst, where Spanish Beginners was introduced 5 years ago. She has 15 years teaching experience in New Zealand (Spanish and History) and Japan (English), and moved to Sydney in 2017. She has enjoyed getting to know the Spanish teaching community through Trial exam paper writings, workshops and other events.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
​OFFICER
​Steph Patrick
publicrelationssta@gmail.com

Steph teaches Spanish to all the students at the Inner Sydney Montessori School. Originally from NZ and a trained High School teacher, she was an AFS exchange student to Sevilla, and has travelled widely through South America. She has 16 years teaching experience in high schools, middle schools and primary schools. While in NZ she also owned Resource Room, a goldmine of a bookshop dedicated to foreign languages. She is looking forward to encouraging Primary teachers to become more involved in STANSW.

RESOURCES COORDINATOR
Fabian Navarro
resourcessta@gmail.com​

Fabian is a passionate modern languages educator specialising in Spanish, French, ESOL, as well as a strong background in Business Studies and Leadership. He has been teaching for the past 20 years across North America, Europe and New Zealand. He has joined STANSW to help Spanish teachers to transform their classrooms into an engaging, inclusive and modern learning environment.