Williston Schools

Greg Marino, Lead Principal, Williston Schools

Greg Marino is beginning his 9th year as the Lead Principal in the Williston Schools and his 14th year as part of the CVSD leadership team.  Prior to his time at CVSD, Greg served as Principal at Essex Elementary School (Pk-2) in Essex Junction, VT, and Assistant Principal at Setauket Elementary School (K-6), Setauket, NY. Greg grew up in Suffolk County Long Island and was drawn to education through his passion for trumpet and music, inspired by his father, a lifetime educator. Greg earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Ithaca College School of Music, where he also met his future wife, a Vermont native.  He enjoyed a decade as an instrumental music teacher in various public school systems in Long Island while earning his Master’s Degree in Education from the Aaron Copeland School of Music at Queens College (CUNY) and his School District Administration endorsement at SUNY Stony Brook. Greg is also a graduate of the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont School Leadership Project (VSLP).  Greg currently serves as chair of the Champlain Valley Regional Standards Board and is the past president of VT ASCD.  He returns this fall in his third year as an adjunct faculty member at St. Michael’s College in their School Leadership graduate program. Greg lives in Williston with his wife and four children and enjoys hiking, boating, fishing, and riding his motorcycle in the beautiful VT outdoors.

Angela Filion, ABS Building Principal

Angela Filion is a native of Vermont and as a child lived briefly in Birmingham, Alabama and Ithaca, New York. She realized at a young age that she had a desire and passion for working with young children. She was particularly drawn to students who have experienced a lot of adversity, as she herself faced those challenges as a child. She pursued an associate's degree in Early Education from Champlain College. She went on to get her undergraduate degree in education from Johnson State College. Angela then began working for the Milton Town School District which is her hometown. She began as the early education teacher and director of the early education program. She then went on to teach Kindergarten, First, and then Second Grade. During this time Angela pursued her Master's Degree from Southern New Hampshire University. She served as a teacher and teacher leader for 15 years at MES before she moved on to becoming the Assistant Principal there for two years. After 17 years of service at MES, Angela was ready to pursue other prospects. In 2018 she became the Principal of Allen Brook School. She loves being able to lead and serve at a PreK-2nd grade school! Angela and her daughter Mira have a strong passion for dance and have been dancing together at the same studio for 14 years. Angela's other passions include travel, gardening, reading, and spending time with loved ones.      

Jacqueline Parks, WCS Building Principal

Jacqueline Parks is a Vermont native and comes from a family of educators. Educational issues and topics were always part of the family fabric which resulted in a desire to teach students with learning differences. Jacqueline graduated from Trinity College of Vermont with her Bachelor's degree, along with certifications in Special Education and Elementary Education. After teaching grades 3 and 4 overseas in Damascus, Syria, and Aruba she returned to the United States and began a leadership program in Texas. While in Texas, Jackie worked as a 6th grade special educator. After marrying her husband, Kevin, they returned to Vermont to start a family and put down roots. While serving as a special educator at Manchester Elementary School (MEMS), Jackie completed her Master's in school leadership at Castleton University. She went on to become the principal at MEMS and has served in that capacity for over 1o years. In 2005, Jackie and her family moved to Essex, Vermont as she moved to a principalship at Williston Central School (WCS). Jackie is currently in her 16th year at WCS and is proud to be part of an amazing educational community. Jackie has been the recipient of numerous awards over her years in education including Dayton District Teacher of the Year (1995), Horace Mann Leadership Award (2000), and Vermont’s Nationally Distinguished Principal (2003), and has participated in the Snelling Center for Leadership and Dr. Margaret Waddington Institute for School Leaders. She currently lives in Essex with her husband and enjoys gardening, reading, traveling, and walking. Her two girls are in college at UVM and Texas A&M and are transitioning into adulthood. 

Lauren Goracy, Director of Special Education, Williston Schools

Lauren Goracy is beginning her 11th year in education at Champlain Valley School District. Teaching and leading have always been a passion of hers. She believes in the potential of all students and values strong relationships in order to help students succeed. Lauren graduated from the University of Vermont in 2012 with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. She continued her education at UVM and completed the graduate program in Special Education. She currently holds degrees in both Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education K-12. Lauren also completed the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Program at Saint Michael's College for the title and certification of Director of Special Education in May 2023. 

Lauren grew up in Lebanon Township, New Jersey, a rural area landscaped with forests and farms. Field Hockey is what brought her to the state of Vermont. She played on the varsity team at UVM and fell in love with this beautiful state. Lauren currently lives in Richmond, Vermont, on a dirt road near a beaver pond. She loves nature and enjoys being outside in her backyard. She also enjoys snowboarding, hiking, reading, snowshoeing, bird watching, yoga, and playing/coaching field hockey. She believes that everyone can be a lifelong learner and it is her goal in life to continue to be curious about the world, explore new things, and encourage that in others.