Elaine Spencer

Biography

Elaine Spencer is a Registered Clinical Social Worker (#00104) and Approved Clinical Supervisor (2016) with a practice forged in mental health, medical social work, family practice and leadership in human and health services.  Teaching the practice of social work since 2002, Elaine has been on the Social Work Faculty at Red Deer Polytechnic since 2005.  Elaine has an extensive background in rural, clinical, and insider social work practice, and has translated her experience into teaching. 

Elaine is interested in critical progressive social work modalities and approaches, and brings this orientation to both clinical (methods) courses, practicum supervision, and theory courses, such as social work leadership, and social work ethics. Coming to education after a significant social work practice, Elaine brings her lived experience to the classroom.  A highlight of teaching social work is the opportunity to present with students and graduates at conferences and work with graduates on social justice projects. Elaine is the lead editor and author of “Social Work Ethics: Progressive, Practical and Relational Approaches” (2017) and has conducted original research with various colleagues in Canada and around the world, into leadership in social work, published here and on student experiences of fieldwork during the early years of the Covid-19 pandemic, published here.

Education

MSW, Clinical Specialization, University of Toronto
BSW, Generalist, University of Calgary