| Marina Balina's research involves Soviet children's literature, particularly fairy tales. In recognition of her teaching and scholarship, she was appointed to the Isaac Funk Professorship in 2007. |
| Your hometown? | St. Petersburg, Russia |
| Alma mater? | I have several: St. Petersburg State University, Russia; St. Petersburg Pedagogical University, Russia; Potsdam Pedagogical University, Germany. |
| Why Wesleyan? | I enjoy teaching at a liberal arts college where I can combine both my interests: language pedagogy and studies in literature and culture. |
| Your teaching? | I am teaching all levels of Russian language, as well as numerous courses in Russian literature and culture in translation. |
| Favorite students? | I believe I am lucky: students who take Russian are serious and dedicated learners of language and literature. They know that they need to go an extra mile to master Russian and as a rule, they never hesitate to do that. |
| Biggest thrill? | In teaching language, it is the end of the third semester when I see students who I introduced to the Russian ABC’s be able to communicate and perform creative assignments. |
| For fun? | I play piano, read, and I love to travel. |
| The best? | Starbucks chocolate croissant |
| Favorite book? | Leo Tolstoy—Anna Karenina |
| Favorite music group? | Kronos Quartet |
| Favorite quote? | A Yiddish proverb: “God, don’t bring me too high, and don’t drop me too low.” |
