My name is Lauren LaVenia, and I am so fortunate to serve as the Beechwood Middle School literacy coach and International Baccalaureate coordinator!  I am a native South Carolinian and a product of Lexington County public schools. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Education in Secondary Education (English) from the University of South Carolina.  My certifications include English, Literacy Teacher, and Middle-Level Language Arts, and I have endorsements in Gifted and Talented Education, Read to Succeed (R2S) Literacy Coach, and R2S Literacy Teacher. I began my teaching career in 1997 in Lexington Two where I taught English language arts in grades six through eight and English I in grade eight.  Since moving to Lexington One, I have served as the literacy coach at Pelion Middle School and the literacy coach and IB coordinator at Lexington Middle School. My husband, Chris, and I have two Chihuahuas, Cowboy and Czar. As a family, we enjoy boating, camping, and fishing. I also love reading and cooking. I am blessed to be part of the Beechwood family and look forward to an exciting year!  Go Bengals!!!