Dr. Claudette Spencer comes to education with a unique background. As a registered nurse and Assistant Professor at Georgia State University - Perimeter, Dr. Spencer brings 30 years of nursing experience, including 13 years dedicated to teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
That experience gives Dr. Spencer a firsthand understanding of both the profession her students are entering and what it takes to prepare them for it. For her, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is getting to see that growth happen.
“What inspires me to teach is watching my students grow into confident, capable nurses,” Dr. Spencer says. “It is incredibly rewarding to see their progression from learning foundational concepts to developing the critical thinking skills necessary to manage the care of their patients.”
Teaching future nurses means preparing students for moments when they will need to think critically, communicate clearly, and make thoughtful decisions for the people in their care.
“Being part of that transformation, guiding them as they gain knowledge, confidence, and clinical judgment, is what makes teaching so meaningful to me.”
Finding New Ways to Help Students Learn
Dr. Spencer’s years in nursing and education continue to shape the way she approaches the classroom. She is always looking for new ways to help students learn, connect, and prepare for the realities of working in healthcare.
Her KDP community has played a role in encouraging that continued growth.
“My Kappa Delta Pi community has been instrumental in encouraging innovation and professional growth in my teaching,” Dr. Spencer says.
For students preparing to enter healthcare, those opportunities can help build skills that extend beyond the classroom. Dr. Spencer wants her students to be ready to work with people from different backgrounds, communicate effectively, and approach their work with an open mind.
“The encouragement and values promoted within the KDP community have reinforced my commitment to creating engaging learning experiences that prepare students to work effectively in an increasingly interconnected world.”
Preparing Nurses to Care for Others
At the center of Dr. Spencer’s work is a simple goal: helping students become nurses who are ready to care for people well.
“Knowing that they will go on to provide safe, compassionate care to their patients continues to motivate and inspire my work in the classroom.”
After three decades in nursing, Dr. Spencer understands the responsibility her students will carry into their own careers. That makes every stage of their growth meaningful, from learning foundational concepts to developing the judgment and confidence they will eventually rely on with their own patients.
For Dr. Spencer, teaching nursing is not only about preparing students for a career. It is about helping them become professionals others will depend on.
Recharging Outside the Classroom
When she is not teaching, Dr. Spencer enjoys cooking and entertaining friends. Bringing people together around food gives her another way to connect, slow down, and create memorable experiences.
She also enjoys traveling, especially to islands where she can relax and recharge.
“I also love traveling, especially island getaways, where I can relax, recharge, and enjoy the beauty of new surroundings.”
Those moments of balance allow Dr. Spencer to return to her students with renewed energy for the work she enjoys most: helping future nurses learn, grow, and become confident in the care they will one day provide.
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