March 24, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Heather Klare knows she is teaching at her best when she sees someone smile because they understand a concept.
Klare, like her fictional hero Wonder Woman, works from a place of honesty, care and hope. She is an assistant professor in GRCC’s the Radiologic Technology Department, where students prepare to become radiographers – a career that will always be in demand.
Klare has mentored graduates who go on to take American Registry of Radiologic Technologists exam. After passing, they find jobs in radiographic settings such as major and minor hospitals, medical centers, emergency walk-in clinics, and orthopedic offices.
The field of radiologic technology also encompasses specialty areas like interventional radiography, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound (sonography), radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine.
Klare earned her Bachelor of Arts in History, with a Computer Applications minor, from Grand Valley State University. She worked in banking after graduation. But then, like so many adult students who attend GRCC, she decided to make a career change.
Klare attended GRCC and earned an Associate of Applied Arts & Science, Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer.
After graduation she worked at Metro Health and then Mercy Health St. Mary’s as an interventional radiology technologist. She then took the position of assistant professor at GRCC.
“After working in the field for several years, it was time to give back to the community,” she said.
Soon after she began her career as a professor, Klare also enrolled at Purdue University Global to earn her Master of Science, Instructional Design and Technology - Adult Emphasis. She graduated two years later and continues to have a big impact on the GRCC Radiologic Technology program.
Despite having earned a master's degree, Klare never forgets that she is not done learning.
“I’ve learned that you may be prepared, but daily practice is what is necessary to be successful,” she said.
Klarecis proud to be making a difference with the faculty and staff in the Radiologic Technology program at GRCC.
“Our students really know that we care,” she said. “That I, and the other instructors in the program, feel that the students' success in the program is our success.”