Patience, kindness, humility respectfulness, selflessness, forgiveness, honesty and commitment are the principles of servant leadership, and these words perfectly describe Board Certified Behavior Analyst Spencer Ramsey, M.Ed., our Servant Heart Award recipient for ChanceLight.
As a Senior Behavioral Analyst, Spencer uses Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to help children with autism reach their full potential. Spencer exemplifies a true servant leader who is admired by her co-workers, clients and families.
We asked Spencer the following questions about what it means to be a recipient of the Servant Heart Award and here is what she had to say:
Q: What does being a Servant Heart Award recipient mean to you?
A: Being a Servant Heart Award recipient is a tremendous honor for me. Throughout my career with Early Autism Project, I always wanted the best for our company. I want to ensure EAP continues to be a premier provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services and our clients receive the effective treatment they need. I want our clinicians to receive the support and training they desire to meet their professional goals. I find it incredibly rewarding to see them making a difference in the lives of children. I want to inspire our RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians) to further their education so they can be the next generation of BCBAs and continue EAP’s legacy of providing quality ABA services to children. I believe I was nominated for this award because my peers understand and share my mission and believe we can work together to make it a reality.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a member of an organization committed to Servant Leadership?
A: I’m sure you’ve hear the quote “It takes a village to raise a child.” I believe it takes a group of dedicated employees to create a company, environment and culture where people want to spend most of their day. Our leadership focuses on providing quality therapy to our clients and supporting and nurturing the staff that work directly with our children every day. Our goal is to influence and inspire those around us to live our social mission to offer hope to families of children with autism.
Q: Do you have a favorite tenet of Servant Leadership? If so, what is it and why?
A: Honesty is my favorite tenet of servant leadership. I think it is so important to respect and love our co-workers and the families we serve. I always want to be honest, even if that leads to a difficult conversation. When you truly care about someone you want to be honest with them so you can help them grow personally and professionally so they can reach their goals. I think that is the greatest gift a true leader can give.
Q: What do you like most about working for ChanceLight/EAP?
A: I think it is a combination of working with children and the opportunity to hopefully inspire and teach the next generation of clinicians and future leaders of our company. As one person, there is a limited number of children I can help in my lifetime. If I am able to influence others to develop the skills necessary to become great behavior analysts, in a small way I can have a part in helping countless children for years to come.
All the Servant Heart Leadership Award winners were nominated by their colleagues. Here are a few peer-submitted comments that further highlight why Spencer is so deserving.
- Spencer works enthusiastically toward goals and is a great team player for EAP.
- Spencer always goes above and beyond to do anything to help our clients and staff. She always answers any call to help with an enthusiastic yes! She works to support both program services and operations in any way possible.
- Spencer has a passion to grow the next generation of BCBAs. She works tirelessly to ensure staff are well trained and advocates for the best treatment for our kids. She’s unwavering in her belief that all children can learn and deserve the best.
More fun facts about Spencer:
Spencer is a Senior Behavior Analyst for the Behavioral Health Division in the program and clinical services department.
She began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis 18 years ago as a line therapist for her son who had been diagnosed with autism. Spencer then completed the necessary clinical coursework and mentorship under Dr. Vincent J. Carbone, BCBA-D, to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst and she established a successful private practice serving children with autism and other developmental disabilities across the United States. She completed additional coursework through the Florida Institute of Technology and to earn her Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification. Spencer joined Early Autism Project in 2008.
Spencer earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and completed a Master’s of Education in Special Education with an inclusion specialist certificate at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
