This is Lauren Strong’s sixth year as a school counselor at EXPO, her seventh year working in the Saint Paul Public Schools, and her 16^th year total in the education field. Previously, she spent 4 years as a teacher overseas (Japan, Thailand, and South Korea) and 2 years as an educational assistant. Ms. Strong received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Music in 2005 from Luther College and her M.Ed. in School Counseling in 2013 from Liberty University. She is also certified by the American School Counselor Association as a Bullying Prevention Specialist.

When not at EXPO, Lauren likes to write music and play guitar, piano, and a variety of other instruments. She also enjoys practicing yoga and going on bike rides.

Ms. Strong currently lives in West Saint Paul with her husband, 5-year-old girl, 3-year-old boy, and cat. She has lived in the Twin Cities for the past twelve years after moving back to the States from South Korea. 

Lauren is excited about meeting and working with students, families, and staff. She loves walking alongside EXPO’s students through providing instruction in classrooms, facilitating small groups, and working with individual students to help them succeed in all areas of their development.

"The children who need love the most will often ask for it in the most unloving of ways" - Russell Barkley