Russian Renaissance: Messick’s Modern Methods
CLA is proud to announce that Mollie Messick, Adjunct Faculty in Russian in the Department of Global Languages & Literatures, has been honored with the 2024-2025 Award for Teaching Excellence for Graduate Student Instructors by the American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR). The award was presented at ACTR’s annual membership meeting on February 13, 2025, recognizing Messick’s innovative approach to Russian language instruction, which integrates environmental sustainability and Indigenous perspectives into the curriculum.
Messick’s teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in fostering cultural and linguistic connections between Russia’s Far North and Alaska. “Since making Alaska my home, I have been enthralled with the northern environment,” Messick explains. “When I taught English composition, and later English as an additional language, I was drawn to materials that asked students to engage with local issues and their global impacts. People in Alaska and across the Arctic are coming to terms with a rapidly changing landscape. I think there is a need to develop alternative visions for how to live well in this place together.”
At UAF, Messick has redesigned first-year Russian courses to incorporate real-world materials, such as census data and interactive maps, to build students’ confidence in language comprehension from the outset. “Numbers, maps, and other authentic visual materials have been a big help with students who are just starting out in the language,” she says. “I've also focused on materials that use some of the basic constructs students are learning, such as answering questions about where they live, what they eat, and their own national and ethnic identities. I supplement these materials with discussion and sometimes readings in English to encourage comprehension of more complex issues.”
Messick’s curriculum innovations not only enhance language learning but also foster a deeper understanding of global sustainability issues. “Some of these visions are held by Indigenous peoples; as a non-Indigenous educator, I hope to familiarize Russian language students with the continued existence of Indigenous groups within Russia's borders,” she shares. “Together, we have much to offer students in terms of developing place-based environmental, cultural, and linguistic awareness.”
Her work also demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. “My hope is that my own course design will encourage more interdisciplinary, critical thought about our shared environment among educators as well as students,” she states. “My advice would be to start with small adaptations, as I have done, and to build meaningful relationships with faculty in other disciplines. I am still working on this step, and it's an important one to make sure I don't misrepresent information from other disciplines or cultures."
The American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR) is a distinguished professional organization that has supported the study and teaching of Russian language, literature, and linguistics since 1974. ACTR provides resources such as the Russian Language Journal, professional development opportunities, and student competitions to advance excellence in Russian language education across the United States.
The UAF Department of Global Languages & Literatures is dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive education in world languages, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and preparing students for global careers. With a focus on linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy, the department offers a wide range of programs that highlight the interconnectedness of language and society.