Teaching Staff

Steve Knussen - Director of Studies

My name is Steve Knussen and I'm Director of Studies at Universal English College (GV Sydney).  I'm originally from Manchester in England, and when I left university there, I started teaching English at the tender age of 21!   My first job was in Spain, and then my teaching career took me to Italy, Denmark and England, before I arrived in Sydney in 1996.

During my thirteen-year teaching career, I have taught many different types of English courses to over fifty nationalities. I did a Masters in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second/Other Language) at the University of New South Wales, which was a very satisfying and rewarding experience.

Outside work, my main hobby is football, or ‘soccer' as Australians call it, playing it, watching it, discussing it, reading about it, and sometimes even refereeing it.  On the weekends, I really enjoy visiting the amazing beaches and national parks that surround Sydney, where I go camping and hiking. 

Agata - Head Teacher  

My name is Agata Smith. I joined GV Sydney in 1994 having completed my Masters Degree in Applied Linguistics in 1993 and then the Certificate in TEFLA at the Australian Centre for Languages in Sydney in February 1994.

I started working here as a newly qualified teacher and enjoyed working at GV Sydney, its staff and students so much, that I decided to stay for a while. 

Now, many years later, I have taught, coordinated and helped to develop various programmes at the School and currently hold the position of Head Teacher. 

I love the atmosphere of an international college, meeting students from many different countries, helping them improve their English skills and achieve their different personal and professional goals in Australia.
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our School. 

Judy Grant - High School Program - Senior Teacher

Hello, my name is Judy Grant. I am the Head Teacher for the High School Preparation Program. My job is to look after all the high school students at UEC. I work with a great team of experienced and enthusiastic teachers , we all really enjoy the opportunity of meeting students from different cultures, of helping them learn and adapt to school life in Australia.

I have lived and worked in many different cities in Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin. I have taught in many different schools, both private and Government, so I have a wide range of experience in the education system in this country.

I am also a mother with three teenage children who attend high schools in Sydney so I am involved in schools both as a parent and as a teacher. As a parent I recognize that choosing schools and courses are very important decisions. As a teacher I enjoy my role in supporting and assisting students as they meet these challenges.

Terry Samuals - Teacher High School Program

My name is Terry and I have been teaching at GV Sydney in the High School Preparation (HSP) course for almost 6 years. Teaching is something I have had a passion for since my late teens.

It was during my 10 years with QANTAS, travelling the four corners of the world, that I realised the importance of English as International Tool of Communication. After leaving QANTAS I moved to Japan and spent the next 11 years teaching English at a language college and high school. I now enjoy passing on my knowledge and experience to the students I teach. If you are in Sydney, drop in and say hi.