November 10, 2020

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Andy Hockersmith. I work in the International Affairs Office of Toyo University. It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Prof. Tim Newfields.

I have known Tim for 14 years in my capacity first as an English instructor and later as an exchange program coordinator at Toyo University. Because of our overlapping spheres of interest and influence, Tim and I have worked together on numerous initiatives connected with international education. In addition, we collaborated on a research project about pre-departure training programs for study abroad students and served as editors of Ryuugaku, the journal of JALT’s Study Abroad Special Interest Group.

What immediately impresses me about Tim is the level of commitment he brings to the job. He strikes me as the kind of educator who is never satisfied, always looking for new pedagogical approaches, perspectives, and technologies. Rather than settling into a comfortable and familiar routine, he continually seeks out ways to challenge himself and grow as a teacher and learner.

The current academic year offers ample evidence of Tim’s dedication to his craft. Because of COVID-19, Toyo moved the spring semester online. Although it would have been easy to set up uncommunicative “on-demand” classes, Tim was committed to making his classes interactive and engaging through Zoom and other platforms. The fact that he would enthusiastically embrace such a new style of teaching during his final year at Toyo speaks volumes about his values as an educator.

This passion for growth carries over into research. Tim is very accomplished and prolific in the fields of international education, language instruction, cross-cultural competence, study abroad, and other related areas. Moreover, he tirelessly collaborates with and mentors younger researchers, providing guidance and wisdom for those who are just getting started on the path that he has traveled.

In summary, Tim Newfields is a principled, forward thinking, and conscientious educator, and I recommend him for any teaching position without reservation. He will bring abundant stores of experience, enthusiasm, and knowledge to any institution that is fortunate enough to hire him.

If you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully,

Andy Hockersmith