I’ve been serving as an ACTR Board Director for the last three years and see the important role the organization plays for the community of Russian-teaching educators in the USA. I feel honored to belong to this community and to help my colleagues achieve their personal and professional goals through the opportunities that ACTR provides.

I’m happy to be involved in ACTR projects because they help me grow as a professional in my field, connect me with my heritage, and give me a sense of belonging. During professional meet-ups for Russian educators, I hear the same from colleagues. They value the mission of the organization, and it inspires me to work on projects that create opportunities for Russian learners to advance their language skills and learn more about the cultures of Russian-speaking people.

Every year, while running the Post-Secondary Laureate Program, I read comments from colleagues who say that ACTR programs open new doors for students, recognize their achievements, and motivate them to continue learning.

Leadership Experience. How have you been a leader in your community, profession, and/or institution? How have your unique strengths, professional, and volunteer experiences prepared you to serve on the ACTR Board?

As I’ve already mentioned, I’ve served as an ACTR Board Director for the last three years, and I’ve learned a lot during this term. Now I feel more confident continuing my duties in the organization because it took time for me to understand the inner workings of ACTR and learn how to build strong relationships with colleagues running different committees.

During my time on the board, I’ve had the opportunity to lead and contribute to various projects, such as the Post-Secondary Laureate Program, which has deepened my understanding of the impact our programs have on students and educators. My experience in this role has also helped me develop important skills, like effective communication, teamwork, and strategic planning, which are essential for supporting ACTR’s mission.

Diversity, Equity, Access & Inclusion. How have you worked to create an inclusive environment in your classroom, workplace and/or community? What is something you have done in professional or volunteer service that demonstrates your commitment to be more inclusive of diverse populations and/or to provide greater access to the study of Russian by diverse populations?

I constantly reconsider and make changes to my teaching because I strive to bring different voices and perspectives into my courses and contribute to diversifying and decolonizing the Russian language curriculum. I believe it’s essential to challenge traditional approaches and ensure that the materials and topics I use in my classroom reflect a broader and more inclusive range of experiences.

For example, I create projects with my students that address issues like accessibility, racism, and discrimination. These projects encourage critical thinking and allow students to engage with real-world problems through the lens of language and culture. Together with my colleague from Dickinson College, I co-authored a textbook for advanced Russian learners that focuses on topics often overlooked in traditional Russian curricula, such as gender equality, minority voices, and social justice themes.

Currently, as a researcher, I am working on diversifying the curricula of heritage Russian schools to make them less Russia-centric and more reflective of the diversity within Russian-speaking communities around the world. My goal is to create learning experiences that celebrate the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of these communities, fostering a stronger sense of belonging for all learners.

Through these efforts, I aim to create inclusive learning environments where students from diverse backgrounds feel seen and valued while gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities and richness of the Russian-speaking world.

Contributions to the ACTR Board. How would you like to contribute to the ACTR Board? What strengths, skills, and experience would you bring as an ACTR Board member?