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Moddelmog to be new TEEN director

By ROWENA PLETT

staff writer

Chris Moddelmog will be returning to central Kansas from Salina in a few weeks to take up the position of executive director of TEEN, the Technology Excellence in Education Network.

TEEN electronically connects four Marion County school districts and Herington school district through two-way interactive classrooms.

Moddelmog is ideally suited for the job because he has been involved with education and technology ever since graduating from Bethany College in 1994.

His first two teaching jobs were at Peabody and Marion high schools, where he learned to use TEEN technology. He taught a class through TEEN. He also was a coach at both schools.

After a one-year hiatus in the private sector, he decided he wanted to get back into education. He took a job in the Salina school district as curriculum technologist and has spent the past two years working with teachers and teaching social studies.

He also acquired a master's degree in educational administration from Wichita State University.

A native of Moundridge, Moddelmog was interested in coming back to Marion County. He was drawn by the opportunities available in TEEN to combine education with technology.

Moddelmog has nothing but praise for TEEN and the people who worked to establish it and keep it going.

"They've made it a priority and that makes it easy," he said.

He noted TEEN is light years ahead of Salina USD 518 in interactive telecommunication, where only two classes are available interactively.

"TEEN is more sophisticated and more trouble free," he said.

TEEN came on line in September 1993. During the first year, 10 teachers taught students in eight classrooms. Teachers, students, and subjects offered increased every year. In the 2004-2005 school year, 501 students were enrolled in 27 classes.

In 2004, a grant allowed each member school to purchase portable Polycoms and equipment to connect with the Kan Ed system for interactive distance learning.

TEEN schools have hooked up with schools around the state and throughout the United States. Area schools even can make connections with zoos, museums, and libraries.

When his official duties begin July 1, Moddelmog plans to continue the work done by current director Sharon Tatge of Herington. He also will look for new ways to expand services.

"I think there are some real opportunities for organizations like this and distance learning in the state," he said.

Moddelmog's wife Carol is a licensed marriage and family counselor at Salina Regional Health Center. They have a three-year-old daughter, Katie.

They haven't made a final decision on where they will reside but are leaning toward Hillsboro or Marion.

"I'm excited about it," Moddelmog said. "I think it will be a good change."

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