Kleiner brings technology experience to TEEN director position
Staff writer
Lena Kleiner of Hillsboro will not begin her new position as Marion County TEEN director until July 1, but that is not keeping her from planning and dreaming about how to use her experience to help students and teachers in the county.
“My hope for this position is that I can be of assistance to all the teachers in the five districts to integrate technology into their classrooms and that students can utilize the Interactive Distance Learning network to its fullest potential,” she said.
Kleiner grew up in Hillsboro, graduating from Hillsboro High School in 1992. She attended Tabor College and Kansas State University and has been employed as a business and computer teacher at Hope School since 1998. She and her husband, Ryan Kleiner, have two children in the Hillsboro school system.
“I have taught computer and business courses for 15 years and am excited for the opportunity to be working with students and teachers at all the schools in the county,” she said.
Kleiner is familiar with technology requirements for TEEN programs and the benefits offered to participating districts.
“TEEN is the acronym for Technology Excellence in Education Network,” she said. “It was created in 1992 to allow districts to share classes and teachers, offering students more subject options through the use of fiber optics.
Kleiner said the network currently has 100 Mbps in Internet available for users, a growth from 12 Mbps when the organization was established.
“The collaboration among the schools has only strengthened over the years,” she said. “TEEN participation gives districts two major advantages in education, course flexibility for students and Pathways classes funding through the state.”
Kleiner said TEEN also provided group-buying power, curriculum enrichment, and allowed connections with special guests worldwide.
Kleiner was named TEEN director Wednesday.