ACTR Awards for Excellence in Teaching Russian – K-12 Level (K-8, 9-12)


2025 ACTR Award for Excellence in Teaching Russian Recipient: Ksenia Appel-Whitney

Ksenia Appel-Whitney is the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Russian Award for Grades K-8. She teaches at the Global Village Academy in Thornton (CO).

Click here to learn more about Ksenia.


2025 ACTR Award for Excellence in Teaching Russian Recipient: Kateryna Ratushnyuk

Kateryna Ratushnyuk is the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Russian Award for Grades 9-12. She teaches at Staten Island Technical High School (NY) and STARTALK Discover Russia!

Click here to learn more about Kateryna.


2025 ACTR Excellence in Teaching Russian Special Lifetime Award Recipient: Johanka Hart-Tompkins

Johanka Hart-Tompkins is the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Russian Special Lifetime Award for Grades 9-12. She teaches at Cincinnati's Walnut Hills High School (OH).

Click here to learn more about Johanka.

Eligibility

  • The award is open to instructors of Russian language working at a public or private educational institution, at the elementary, middle, or high school level.   
  • The nominee must be a current member of ACTR.
  • The nominee must have taught Russian language courses at least five (5) years.
  • Candidates can be nominated by anyone, including a colleague, supervisor, or private individual.
  • ​Only one nomination will be accepted from a nominator (i.e. the nominating individual).

Overall Selection Procedure

The ACTR Award for Excellence in Teaching Russian Committee seeks to select one (1) candidate from each level (K-8 and 9-12) who demonstrates high-leverage teaching practices, enthusiasm for learning Russian, and the ability to serve as an influential advocate for teaching Russian on a regional and national basis. The final winners are notified and publicly announced through ACTR Newsletter, social media, and a letter to the teachers’ administrators.

  Contact us

   Julia Denne, chair
   Tony Brown
   Olga Gotta
    John R. Rook
   Tommy Tabatowski
 
​    Questions? 
​    Email bytheonionsea at gmail.com

Past Recipients

Requirements for Teacher Nomination ~ Criteria of Excellence
  
Teacher Knowledge and Application of Subject Matter

  • Uses their knowledge of Russian and the cultures of the Russian-speaking world to involve and direct students in meaningful language learning and acquisition.
  • Uses standards-based and proficiency-based instruction to foster and facilitate the learning of language and culture.
Teacher Development of Student Learning
  • Demonstrates a clear commitment to their students’ learning.
  • Develops student proficiencies in Russian language and increases their cultural understanding.
  • Creates an inclusive, caring, and challenging learning environment that is contextually appropriate and reflective of real-life situations.
  • Fosters critical and creative thinking in students by developing an awareness of the diverse perspectives that exist within and between various cultures.
  • Sets equitable goals, which assure that all students have the opportunity to learn.
  • Uses differentiated instruction to meet various students’ learning needs.
  • Actively engages in language and culture related extra and co-curricular activities and/or advising.
Student Empathy on the part of Teacher
  • Values each student as an individual.
  • Encourages open communication with students and parents.
  • Promotes equity and inclusion.
Teacher Professional Growth and Contributions
  • Demonstrates continuous professional development and growth in the subject area and teaching strategies.
  • Collaborates with all necessary stakeholders in developing curricula and assessment tools to ensure student success.
  • Shares knowledge and expertise through conference presentations, workshops, etc.
  • Active involvement in a professional organization and/or community outreach to promote language and culture.


Nomination Process

To nominate a K-12 Teacher of Russian, nominators should submit their nomination letter following the link to the nominator's form on this page by November 1.

  • Enter general information about the nominated teacher on the nomination form – be sure to select for which award level you are nominating the teacher (K-8 or 9-12)
  • Upload the nominating letter in support of the teacher candidate on the nomination form.
  • Upload any supporting documentation or materials in support of the nomination to the nomination form.
The nomination file from the nominator should include a nomination letter which demonstrates and details how the candidate exemplifies the criteria of excellence (above) as a teacher of Russian language and culture. The nominator should review all requirements prior to drafting the nomination letter and before filling out the nomination form.

Nominees should submit their nominee's packet through the nominee's submission form on this page by December 1.

  • The nominee is welcome to provide any supporting documentation to the nominating individual when that individual makes such request. Such supporting documentation that could be requested in support of the K-12 teacher award nomination are: 
    • a Curriculum Vitae or educational resume that focuses on teaching;
    • a sample of an exemplary, innovative and inclusive instructional unit or practice;
    • a practice of promoting the study of Russian language and culture on a local, regional and national basis. 
    • contribution(s) to the field of Russian language teaching and/or curricular materials.
    • anything else to assist the individual nominating you and that might distinguish you as an exceptional teacher of Russian.

Timeline

  • Materials from the nominator are due by November 1 of each calendar year.
  • Materials from the nominee are due by December 1.
  • Notification of award recipients are made by January 15th.
  • The finalist is announced at the general ACTR membership meeting in February and recognized in the next issue of the ACTR Newsletter.


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