04/01/2016

Robert Nelson, Jr., Assistant Professor of Linguistics and ESL,

Department of English, College of Arts and Sciences,
The University of Alabama,
Tuscaloosa, AL. 35487

Dear Chair and Members of Search Committee,

I am pleased to have been asked to support the application of
Lydia Diggs. I have known Lydia as a student and instructor for two
years. She is one of the top students and best instructors in our
program, and any program that takes advantage of her interest will
enjoy the presence of a high quality, if understated, scholar.
Lydia is strong teacher with great potential. Her broad and
accurate knowledge of English linguistics, writing, culture and
pedagogical principles and methods improved the level and quality of
discussion in every class she attended. I am confident that her
thorough knowledge of and practiced competences in the these areas
will provide your organization with the rich foundation and broad
range of teaching skills it needs to meet its present and future
challenges.
As an instructor and also as a student in pedagogy-focused
classes, Lydia showed herself to be deeply concerned with finding ways
to positively impact the lives of the international community here at
the University of Alabama. The maturity and insight Lydia brings to
the various tasks that are presented to her seem to arise from her realworld experiences, while her motivation to find the best way to serve
her students arises from an empathy rooted in her own learning
experiences and a seriousness toward the problems her student face.
Lydias classroom practices consistently negotiate a conscientious path
between the expertly perceived needs of her individual students and a
cutting edge understanding of research in language pedagogy in
general.
I highly recommend Lydia Diggs. If I may be of further
assistance in your decision, please contact me.

Robert Nelson
rnnelson@ua.edu
205-348-2495