Jennifer Elkins's Avatar

Jennifer Elkins

@jenniferelkins

MSW program director & associate professor of social work at UGA w/focus on trauma, trauma informed care, & culturally sustaining practices. Views are my own.

538
Followers
1,614
Following
17
Posts
06.11.2024
Joined
Posts Following

Latest posts by Jennifer Elkins @jenniferelkins

Open-Rank Academic The School of Social Work seeks tenure-track faculty at the assistant, associate, or full professor ranks for joint appointments with a newly established School of Medicine in Digital Behavioral Healt...

@ugasocialwork.bsky.social is hiring 2 open-rank tenure-track faculty w/joint appointments in our new School of Medicine in: (1) digital mental health, & (2) digital behavioral health for substance use disorders. Learn more about these positions & apply here: www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/460...

01.12.2025 19:21 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Picture with following 10 questions:


Good teaching is all about...

One piece of advice I'd give to someone starting to teach in social work isโ€ฆ

When my students talk about my class when they're out of my earshot I'd most like them to sayโ€ฆ

If I could turn back the clock and talk to myself on my first day of teaching I'd sayโ€ฆ

Whatโ€™s a memorable teaching misstep or failure that taught you something important or helped you grow?

Share the moment when you were closest to thinking or feeling "this is what teaching is all about!" or "this is why I teach!" What was it specifically that made this such a good moment?

Whatโ€™s a piece of teaching advice you received that turned out to be unhelpful or even harmful?

Whatโ€™s something youโ€™ve learned from your students?

Whatโ€™s something you used to stress about in your early teaching that youโ€™ve learned to let go of?

What advice would you give about building authentic, affirming, respectful relationships with students in a social work classroom?

Picture with following 10 questions: Good teaching is all about... One piece of advice I'd give to someone starting to teach in social work isโ€ฆ When my students talk about my class when they're out of my earshot I'd most like them to sayโ€ฆ If I could turn back the clock and talk to myself on my first day of teaching I'd sayโ€ฆ Whatโ€™s a memorable teaching misstep or failure that taught you something important or helped you grow? Share the moment when you were closest to thinking or feeling "this is what teaching is all about!" or "this is why I teach!" What was it specifically that made this such a good moment? Whatโ€™s a piece of teaching advice you received that turned out to be unhelpful or even harmful? Whatโ€™s something youโ€™ve learned from your students? Whatโ€™s something you used to stress about in your early teaching that youโ€™ve learned to let go of? What advice would you give about building authentic, affirming, respectful relationships with students in a social work classroom?

Iโ€™m teaching a PhD social work pedagogy class this fall & want my students to hear from experienced #SocialWorkAcademics. If this is you & youโ€™re drawn to any of the below questions (all are optional & itโ€™s anonymous) Iโ€™d be grateful for your added voice here: forms.gle/qQamVT1YYiM4...

14.08.2025 11:51 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

โ€œTo refuse to participate in the shaping of our future is to give it up. Do not be misled into passivity either by false security (they donโ€™t mean me) or by despair (thereโ€™s nothing we can do). Each of us must find our work and do it.โ€
~Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider

24.07.2025 11:36 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I will always love crowd-sourced community syllabi based on popular media (ie, Sinners, Lemonade, Black Panther) & social justice issues (ie, Ferguson, Charleston). PhD pedagogy courses often have students create a syllabus. But why not offer something creative like this as an alternative? ๐Ÿค”

03.05.2025 14:23 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image Post image Post image

Congratulations to all #UGASSW graduates! You are the dreamers and doers the world needsโ€ฆ

Carry your imaginationโ€ฆ
Root yourself in communityโ€ฆ
Keep freedom dreamingโ€ฆ

The future is ours to build together. I have every confidence in you & canโ€™t wait to see where your journey takes you next!

02.05.2025 21:34 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Just a quick follow-up re. Teaching To Transgress - I wish I had been exposed to it earlier in my academic journey, as a doctoral student. Because it was a revelation for me. Itโ€™s definitely going on my syllabus!

22.04.2025 22:43 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Awesome thanks so much for sharing - Iโ€™m definitely going to check it out!

22.04.2025 21:43 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Awesome thanks both of you! I am teaching our doctoral pedagogy class for social work PhD students this fall for the first time (๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ณ). As I revise/update the syllabus, I find myself curious to learn what others have found most influential. I would probably pick bell hooks as well!

22.04.2025 21:42 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Right? Not to mention the desks and tables in our classrooms arenโ€™t even sturdy enough to sit on ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ˜ฉ

22.04.2025 01:09 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
a man in a suit stands in front of a chalkboard in a classroom ALT: a man in a suit stands in front of a chalkboard in a classroom

#HigherEd #TeachLearnSky #AcademicSky colleagues: What book on teaching/learning/pedagogy has had the biggest impact on your teaching style? How has this book shaped your approach teaching?

22.04.2025 00:05 ๐Ÿ‘ 5 ๐Ÿ” 3 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image Post image

โ€œWhat is your hope song? In this moment, what can you do to generate hope for others? How can we ensure that hope can thrive in our communities and beyond?โ€#LiberatEDSEL #FreedomDreaming #CollectiveLiberation

24.03.2025 18:40 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Behind the Scenes at UGAโ€™s School of Social Work: Virtual Tour
Behind the Scenes at UGAโ€™s School of Social Work: Virtual Tour YouTube video by UGA SocialWork

Come along as we take you on a tour of the UGA Social Work building, one of the most unique and historic locations on campus, from its accessible facilities and cozy common areas to its scenic classrooms and river deck.

youtu.be/mOGeN6kWZRI?...

06.02.2025 16:05 ๐Ÿ‘ 5 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

"Sometimes it seem like to tell the truth today is to run the risk of being killed. But if I fall, I'll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom. I'm not backing offโ€ `
#FannieLouHamer #BlackHistoryMonth #FightingSpirit

[Artwork: "Fighting Spirt" by Leroy Campbell]

09.02.2025 14:06 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
an elderly woman in a green shirt says it 's been 84 years ... ALT: an elderly woman in a green shirt says it 's been 84 years ...

What this past week/month has felt like:

02.02.2025 14:10 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

For #BlackHistoryMonth, learn more about Bayard Rustin โ€“ a key player in the Civil Rights Movement, close advisor to MLK, staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ acceptance, & an out gay man. His words are especially inspiring to us today. Learn more: kinginstitute.stanford.edu/rustin-bayard

01.02.2025 17:44 ๐Ÿ‘ 7 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Post image

Celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth with โ€œA Hole in the Roofโ€ by Kadir Nelson that he describes: opens the space for a conversation about the present moment while reminding us that no matter how tough times may seem, there is always light.

02.02.2025 14:02 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Photo of text states: Buffalo in herds, surround the most vulnerable to keep them safe from threat. The big bulls on the outside, horns pointed outward from the center. The matriarch females form another circle behind them. The youngest, the calves are in the center, protected on all sides.

This is what was on my mind all day. Protecting the most vulnerable. Placing them at center. Circle up. 

Just thought Iโ€™d share that. ๐Ÿฆฌ

Photo of text states: Buffalo in herds, surround the most vulnerable to keep them safe from threat. The big bulls on the outside, horns pointed outward from the center. The matriarch females form another circle behind them. The youngest, the calves are in the center, protected on all sides. This is what was on my mind all day. Protecting the most vulnerable. Placing them at center. Circle up. Just thought Iโ€™d share that. ๐Ÿฆฌ

In my head all day.

29.01.2025 01:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 5577 ๐Ÿ” 1358 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 138 ๐Ÿ“Œ 75
What Makes a Social Worker...a Social Worker?
What Makes a Social Worker...a Social Worker? YouTube video by UGA SocialWork

Let's dive into the heart of social work and uncover what makes it a unique and impactful profession. Hear from the faculty and staff at UGA's School of Social Work as they highlight the essence of social work: a steadfast commitment to social justice and economic equality. youtu.be/eZRmi7CEF6A?...

21.11.2024 13:34 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Picture of UGA School of Social Work associate professor & MSW program director  Jennifer Elkins on left with message introducing โ€œTuesday Talks Virtual Seriesโ€ on trauma-informed vs trauma-specific practice on 12/3 at 6:30pm

Picture of UGA School of Social Work associate professor & MSW program director Jennifer Elkins on left with message introducing โ€œTuesday Talks Virtual Seriesโ€ on trauma-informed vs trauma-specific practice on 12/3 at 6:30pm

What does trauma-informed care truly mean? How is it different from trauma-specific therapy? What does #SocialWork practice w/trauma impacted individuals & communities look like?

Join me for aย new #UGASocialWork series for prospective & future social social workers!

Register: ow.ly/gSWA50U5qRi

20.11.2024 12:23 ๐Ÿ‘ 14 ๐Ÿ” 4 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
The Unspoken Complexity of โ€œSelf-Careโ€ Self-care is thrown around a lot as a magic bullet to solve all of your problems. I think itโ€™s a lot more complicated than that.

Self-soothing vs. individual, community, & structural care.

The Unspoken Complexity of โ€œSelf-Careโ€ medium.com/@deanna/the-...

19.11.2024 12:20 ๐Ÿ‘ 7 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Post image Post image

If our work is not anchored in anti-racist, anti-oppressive, affirming, culturally sustaining, liberatory practices it can never truly be #TraumaInformed.

16.11.2024 03:37 ๐Ÿ‘ 24 ๐Ÿ” 4 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1