Juana Martinez
Juana teaches at Melbourne Polytechnic in our Community Services department. She has more than twenty-five years of experience in community and social work in the areas of gender-based violence, counselling, reproductive health and family relationships. During this time, she’s worked in Australia, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Germany and most recently in Myanmar. Juana also spent four years working with the United Nations.
Juana has been working in the teaching industry with Melbourne Polytechnic on and off for over twelve years. She engages her students through a range of approaches, including discussions with guest speakers, role plays, case studies and self-directed research. Juana teaches using real life examples from the field, empowering students to discuss real social issues and take actions for change. She is passionate about social justice and equality. Juana enjoys being able to share her passion and her life experience with the next generation of workers in community services.
Juana holds a Master of International and Community Development from Deakin University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Translation. She is also highly trained and qualified in community services, including qualifications for counselling survivors of family violence, working with clients who have drug and alcohol problems, working with people with mental Illness and secondary trauma and self care.