Allison Exarhos

I am a self-motivated freelance proofreader. Previously, I have worked as a primary school teacher, teacher-aide, TAFE instructor, and disability support worker. In both paid and voluntary work, and as a mother of six children, I have developed excellent communication and organisational skills. I gravitated to proofreading because of my keen eye for detail and a genuine love of language.

For many years, as a stay-at-home mum, I worked as a volunteer within a number of organisations including school parents and citizens groups, Playgroup Australia, the Australian Breastfeeding Association, and the Australian Institute of Country Music. Working within these groups, I developed public speaking, conflict resolution, and management skills.

In 2009, I completed my proofreading certificate and worked as a sub-contractor for an editing business. While working as a sub-contractor I proofread a number of books, many of which were written by authors whose second or third language was English. For this reason, I was also required to edit, not just proofread, many of the projects.

A few years later, I returned to university to study dietetics and completed two years of a four-year degree. While I am incredibly enthusiastic about health and diet, and I loved learning at university for the second time, I came to realise that my passion is proofreading. Now that my six children are older, I am able to take on more work and devote more time to that passion.

Through my experiences, I have a well-developed knowledge of education, health, diet, human physiology, and early childhood topics.