Laura Benningfield is an experienced educator with over 32 years of service in various capacities. For 20 years, she taught English and math to students from grades 7th-12th before moving on to become one of the first college and career counselors in the state of Kentucky. Laura then went on to become the principal of Taylor County High School and later the Director of Schools for the Taylor Co School District.

Currently, Laura is a Deeper Learning Specialist at GRREC and a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and is a Content Cadre Instructor with the Elevate Academy program. She has also served as an adjunct instructor at Campbellsville University, teaching a range of courses, including English education, Freshmen Writing, Dual Credit English, and co-teaching masters courses for CU's Grow Your Own Leaders Principal Program.

Her passion for mental health led her to become a MHFA instructor, as she strongly believes that early recognition of mental health or substance abuse crisis can save lives and change them for the better.

Laura resides in Campbellville, Kentucky, with her husband Ron, and they are blessed with two daughters, Jilly and Chloe.

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