Lauren Goracy Named Williston’s Director of Special Education

 

Photo of Lauren thanks to AMV Photography

Lauren Goracy has been appointed Director of Special Education for the Williston Schools, which includes Allen Brook School and Williston Central School. Ms. Goracy will begin her leadership duties on July 1, 2022.

Williston’s Lead Principal, Greg Marino, shared this about Lauren joining the community, “The Williston Schools Leadership team is excited to welcome Lauren to our learning community. Lauren's knowledge of CVSD’s MTSS systems, structures, and current focus areas will help to power ongoing positive momentum. Her fresh and current leadership outlook will be an asset in our quest for continued growth and innovation in the service of student learning.”

Ms. Goracy graduated from the University of Vermont (UVM) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. She holds a Master of Special Education degree, also from UVM. She is projected to complete a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Leadership from Saint Michael’s College in the near future.

Lauren joins the Williston schools after working most recently as a special educator at the Shelburne Community School, also a part of the Champlain Valley School District. In that role, she has supported the summer school program and was a co-director of the Early Childhood Summer Program. Lauren was an intern in the Williston schools when she was working on her degrees.

CVSD’s Director of Student Support Services, Meagan Roy, shared, "Lauren has been a member of the CVSD special education community for several years. Her dedication to our system and her more recent leadership coursework made her a clear choice for the interview committee. We are excited to welcome her to this new role!"

Lauren shared this message with us, “It feels special coming back to Williston Schools where I learned so much from the staff and students. CVSD has always been my home and it is an honor to continue to be part of this amazing community. I look forward to working with students, staff, and parents; it is a privilege to be a part of this innovative teaching team again!”

We look forward to working with Lauren in this role beginning on July 1.

Emily Cogan Named SCS’s Director of Special Education

 

Emily Cogan has been appointed Director of Special Education for the Shelburne Community School (SCS). Ms. Cogan will begin her leadership duties on July 1, 2022.

SCS co-principal Alison Celmer shared this about Emily joining the community, “I am thrilled to welcome Emily Cogan to the SCS leadership team and our school family. She brings a warmth and friendliness that will help students and families connect with her, a compassionate and supportive approach to coaching faculty and staff, and uses data to inform decisions and problem-solving. She'll be present, approachable, and collaborative - modeling best practices and living her values. We are fortunate to have her perspective and expertise at SCS and CVSD!“

Ms. Cogan graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, and a Master of Education degree in Special Education. She has almost completed a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership, also from Saint Michael’s College.

Emily comes to CVSD from the Burlington School District where she is a Special Education Coordinator. She was a special educator at BFA Fairfax in the Franklin West Supervisory Union for many years. Since 2014, she was a Chinese Cultural Exchange Program Teacher and Student Service Coordinator with BFA’s partnership with Spiral International, before the program was canceled due to COVID-19. She was also an accessibility coach and special educator in other schools in northern Vermont.

CVSD’s Director of Student Support Services, Meagan Roy, shared, “The SCS committee is thrilled to welcome Emily to their leadership team. Her experience as a special educator, her creativity and commitment to making education more accessible to her students, and her leadership experience as a special education coordinator made her the unanimous choice for the committee.”

Emily summed it up well by sending this message to us, “I am so excited to join the Shelburne and CVSD community. I am passionate about supporting Vermont's educators, students, and families. I know we have a lot of great work to continue and I look forward to joining this fabulous team.”

We are very excited to welcome Emily on July 1.