Rebecca Clark is entering her eighth year as the Health Science and Dental Assistant instructor at Shelby Area Technology Center, but her journey in dentistry and education spans nearly three decades. After earning her Dental Hygiene degree from the University of Kentucky in 1996, Rebecca began her career in the Lexington area, where she quickly discovered a deep passion for both patient care and mentoring.
Her move to Shelby County marked a turning point, not just professionally, but personally. Rebecca became a trusted mentor in local dental practices, training new employees and sharing her knowledge with the next generation of dental professionals. With a strong foundation in clinical experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning, she brought a unique blend of healthcare expertise and workforce development insight to her work.
In 2007, Rebecca took a bold step toward expanding dental education in Shelby County. She authored and presented a proposal to the Board of Education to establish a dental assistant program at the Area Technology Center. After years of advocacy and persistence, the program was approved, and in 2018, she proudly graduated her first class of certified dental assistants.
From the beginning, Rebecca has been the driving force behind the program’s growth. She tapped into her professional network to secure donations of equipment and build partnerships with local dental offices, giving students access to real-world learning experiences. Today, the school boasts a fully equipped four-chair dental clinic, an achievement that reflects her vision and dedication.
Rebecca’s influence extends far beyond Shelby County. Her advocacy helped launch a new dental program at EC3 Technical School in Elizabethtown for the 2025 - 2026 school year, expanding opportunities for students across the region. She also participated in the Kentucky ACTE Leadership Fellows Program during the 2024 - 2025 academic year, where she honed her leadership skills and deepened her understanding of education policy to better support Career and Technical Education (CTE) statewide.
In the spring of 2025, Rebecca joined a national team of dental educators through the American Dental Education Association to develop a hands-on dental curriculum for middle and high school students. Funded by a Delta Dental grant, the curriculum will be piloted through 13 Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) across the country. Rebecca traveled to Washington, D.C., to train educators, many of whom come from general healthcare backgrounds, on how to deliver the curriculum effectively. Over the next year, she’ll continue working with the team to refine the program before it becomes available to school districts nationwide.
For Rebecca, this work is more than a career, it’s a calling. “What I value most is witnessing the successes of my students in the classroom, clinical settings, work-based learning experiences, and even after graduation,” she shared. “Knowing that I have played a role, however small, in shaping their future achievements is incredibly rewarding.”
She also credits the supportive environment of Shelby County Public Schools for helping her thrive. “What I enjoy most about working in Shelby County and for SCPS is the strong sense of community and collaboration. It’s inspiring to be part of a team dedicated to student success and continuous growth.”
Rebecca Clark’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, passion, and purpose. Her work continues to open doors for students across Kentucky, giving them the tools to build meaningful careers in dentistry, starting right in high school.