About Us
Three Pathways
VREC integrates three pathways of innovate, advocate and partner into our work with schools, higher education, member organizations and the Vermont Agency of Education.
We support schools in their efforts to advance equity and inclusive practices.
We provide a strong voice through our collective advocacy for sound educational public policy and funding.
We recognize the achievements of students, educators and community members.
We promote the development of all components of effective community schools.
We amplify the stories of our school communities with an asset-based focus.
We communicate the research and data that illustrates an accurate picture of our rural schools within the context of Vermont and beyond.
Bringing the Northeast Learning Opportunities
Schools and SU/SDs work collaboratively to provide learning opportunities for students and professional development for educators across our region. We serve the following districts:
North Country Supervisory Union
Orleans Central Supervisory Union
Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union
Caledonia Central Supervisory Union
Essex North Supervisory Union
Kingdom East Supervisory Union
St. Johnsbury’s Schools
Orange East Supervisory Union
View full list of schools we serve.
VREC is a 501(c)3 with a board of directors. Read our 2023-24 annual report.
History of the Vermont Rural Education Collaborative
The Vermont Rural Education Collaborative and its predecessor, The Vermont Rural Partnership, have served school communities in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom for more than 20 years. Read the full history of VREC here.
View past annual report for more background information on VREC:
VREC Staff & Consultants
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: JOHN A CASTLE
John moved with his family from Jersey City, New Jersey to an old farmhouse on 80 acres of land in Holland, Vermont in the summer of 1972. He started second grade at Holland School in Marion’s Petell’s 1-2 classroom and graduated from North Country Union High School. John has worked as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and school administrator at the college, high school, elementary and supervisory union level in Vermont for almost 30 years.
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“Being the teaching principal at Holland Elementary School with my two children there was the best.” He most recently served as Superintendent of Schools for North Country Supervisory Union. John lives on the family homestead in Holland with his wife Jill not far from his 94-year-old mother Nancy, sister Jane and brother Paul. Their two children, Emma and Parker live nearby. He enjoys sugaring, cutting wood and maintaining their network of cross-country ski trails they open to the public. John became Executive Director of VREC in July 2022.
“I am inspired by the strong sense of community in our schools in the NEK. It is my hope that VREC assists in fostering a sense of place, purpose and belonging for students and staff.”
Professional Learning Consultant: Jenn Barone
Professional Learning Consultant: Bev Davis
Workforce Development Consultant: Eileen Illuzzi
Workforce Development Consultant: Steve Owens
A.I.M. Coordinator: Morgan Moore
OFFICERS FOR 2023-2024
Chair: Karen Conroy | Vice Chair: Emilie Knisley
Secretary: Tim Mulligan | Treasurer: Elaine Collins
VREC Board of Directors
Kingdom East Supervisory District: SEAN McMANNON
Sean currently serves as superintendent of schools for Kingdom East Supervisory District. He began his educational career as a teacher in Botswana, Alaska, California, and Massachusetts. Sean has over twenty years of experience in public school leadership, most recently as the Superintendent of the Winooski School District for ten years and previously as the Assistant Principal/ House Director and Principal of CVU High School for eleven years. He earned his BS degree from Pennsylvania State University in Business Logistics, an M.Ed. in Special Education from Lesley University, and completed graduate coursework in leadership at St. Michael's College.
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Sean has lived with his wife, Jennifer and daughters Brenna, age 24 and Ani, age 22 in Colchester, Vermont for over twenty-two years and loves outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, snowboarding and wakeboarding. He and his family love to travel and are passionate about soccer. x
"I am very excited about returning to my teaching roots in small, rural communities where strong relationships, tight-knit communities and a passion for our local schools is supported by VREC. VREC is an amazing organization that tirelessly advocates at the local, state and national level for the unique needs of our rural communities."
St. Johnsbury School District: KAREN CONROY, Superintendent
Karen is the Superintendent of the St. Johnsbury School District in St. Johnsbury, VT. Karen shares VREC’s mission and advocates for rural schools and communities to learn, share and thrive in these roles. Growing up in Aroostook County Maine, lovingly referred to as “The County” by locals, she experienced firsthand what it’s like to be raised in a rural area. She contributes her strong work ethic and values to the lessons she learned during the annual potato picking season and cherishes the memories of her childhood in Northern Maine.
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After 20 years of working in the private sector, Karen took a nontraditional route into education. She began her career at a papermill in the field of technology. In this role, she cultivated her leadership and change management skills to empower her colleagues to embrace evolving technology changes. “I am a transformative leader. I embrace change as an opportunity for improvement. I understand that to grow, change and innovation are necessities.” Working with all facets of the organization in the private sector, Karen gained valuable experiences that contribute to her leadership style in education today.
As a self-described lifelong learner and advocate for children, it seems natural that Karen would eventually pursue a career in education. First, as a Technology Teacher and District Technology Coordinator, and eventually as an Assistant Superintendent and then Superintendent in Vermont. Karen joined VREC during her first year as Superintendent. “VREC provided a stronger voice to advocate for the needs of students and teachers in my rural small schools.” Karen was instrumental in the formation of the NEK Choice School District which includes 10 small rural communities that combined to strengthen their voice and options for education. “I used this challenge as an opportunity to advocate for equitable shared experiences for youth in this large geographical area.”
Karen resides in Bloomfield, Vermont with her husband. She has two grown children, and three granddaughters who also live in rural Essex County communities. She is dedicated to improving the quality of Vermont education for all children. “With not only my own grandchildren in mind, I am always working to ensure that all rural school children are provided with the same opportunities as larger schools, ensuring every student is successful and is provided what they need to thrive.” In her free time, you can find her spending time with her children and grandchildren and enjoying golf and camping with friends and family.
North Country Supervisory Union: ELAINE COLLINS, Superintendent
Elaine is in her second year as the superintendent for North Country Supervisory Union, and has worked in education for 33 years in a variety of roles, including as a paraeducator, school secretary, accounts payable/payroll clerk, middle school humanities teacher, and principal. Her entire career has been working in rural Northeast Kingdom schools, providing education, support, and advocacy of and for the Kingdom’s children, especially in developing systems that help to mitigate some of the challenges that many of our students experience.
Orleans Central Supervisory Union: SHERRIE GENTRY, Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Sherrie grew up in rural southern Michigan and began her career in education in 1989, teaching in the same school where she had once been a student. She spent 13 years teaching in a small isolated school in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula before moving to Vermont in 2011 where she first encountered GMFTS. Ironically, the first Americorp worker she met was a native Michigander! She found ways to work GMFTS into her guidance program and then later, as a school administrator, led the establishment and growth of the program in another district.
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She is passionate about sense of place education and feels that by building pride and connections to our local communities, we strengthen all our systems. She led a team of teachers in a program called Rural Voices, Country Schools where they worked to highlight the strong teaching and writing happening in our rural schools. VREC provides her an opportunity to continue to support the great things happening in rural schools while promoting initiatives that will impact all of us. In her time away from work, she writes poetry, grows flowers, and loves to travel to other rural areas with her family.
Essex North Supervisory Union: RYAN “CHUCK” PATTERSON, Director of Curriculum & Grants
Chuck is the Coordinator of Curriculum, Grants, and MTSS for Essex North Supervisory Union. Prior to taking on this role last summer he served as the Principal of Canaan Schools. Before coming to Canaan he was a science teacher and assistant principal in Northern New Hampshire. He has a Masters in Science Education, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership, both from Plymouth State University. When not working Chuck enjoys being outdoors in nature and spending time with his wife and daughter. This is his second year as a member of VREC, and he is excited to help the organization grow and support the students and educators of Northeastern Vermont. As the child of two teachers who raised him in a small town, Chuck has always understood the importance of rural education and the students and educators who are part of it.
Orange East Supervisory Union: EMILIE KNISLEY, Principal Blue Mt. High School
Emilie began her career at Blue Mountain Union School (BMU) in 2005 as an English language arts teacher, she then went on to serve as the principal, and then superintendent of the supervisory district. In 2018, she joined Orange East Supervisory Union as the superintendent of schools. In 2022, she returned to her roots as principal at Blue Mountain Union School. Emilie also serves as a member of the faculty of Castleton State University, teaching graduate students and aspiring school administrators courses on school law.
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Emilie grew up in a variety of locales: from Utah to Australia, to Rhode Island, before finally settling in Vermont as a teenager. After graduating from high school, Emilie studied at the University of Rhode Island and Castleton University where she earned a BA in Sociology and English. She then went on to study at Norwich University in the Master of Architecture program. From there she worked in the field of academic research and grant writing, and for the Vermont State Parks system for several years.
In 2004, Emilie turned to education and studied at the Upper Valley Teachers Institute, earning a teacher certification for middle and high school level education in English and History. In 2007, she was selected to represent the United States as a Japanese Fulbright Teacher Scholar in the country of Japan. She then attended graduate school at Plymouth State University earning a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction in 2009, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Educational Leadership in 2016. She then went on to study at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, earning a Certificate of Advanced Educational Leadership (CAEL) in 2018.
Emilie enjoys travel, photography, gardening, and cooking. In her spare time she raises flowers, vegetables, chickens, and geese of questionable temperament at Meadowbrook Farm. She is most proud of her Caledonia County Fair “Best in Show” ribbons. She lives with her husband and two sons.
Caledonia Central Supervisory Union: CHRIS MILLER, Principal Waterford School
Chris has spent the last 27 working in Vermont schools. He has spent the last 9 years working as an administrator in the Northeast Kingdom and is currently the Principal at Waterford School. A quality rural schooling experience is critical to preserving and maintaining the connections in small communities which is what makes our region of Vermont unique.
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Chris currently lives in St. Johnsbury. When he's not working he enjoys being active and outdoors. He and his two sons have been section hiking the Long Trail and they hope to finish their trek next summer. He and his wife Laura enjoy biking, paddleboarding and traveling to new places. “The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning.” – John Dewey
At-Large, TIM MULLIGAN, Principal Newark Street School
Tim Mulligan is the Principal of the Newark Street School who optimizes student engagement by continually asking and exploring the question, “How do we (staff and students) end each day excited for school tomorrow?” Tim believes that learning occurs when all members of the school community are feeling good and having fun.
Tim has collaborated with community partners to creatively schedule and utilize resources to optimize learning opportunities for students.
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Newark’s Power Hour and Friday Exploratory Programs are key examples of how Tim has merged all members of the learning community to work side-by side as learning partners who become increasingly prepared to explore the world and take responsible action for Environmental Integrity, Social Equity, and Economic Prosperity while serving their community. Tim is continuing his own professional learning around the concept of Education for Sustainability.
In the mornings, evenings, and weekends, Tim loves engaging in outdoor recreation activities with friends and family. He is a five-time qualifier for the Half Ironman World Championships who believes that the emotional and physical roller coaster of endurance training and events prepare his body and mind for the challenges he will inevitably face in life.
At-Large, MARGARET MACLEAN, retired educator
Margaret is an educator with 40 years’ experience teaching in seven countries, Margaret MacLean has taught at all grade levels from Pre-K to Grade 6, served as a school administrator in Vermont, worked as a professional development provider in numerous states for a national advocacy organization for rural schools, and consulted internationally in 30 countries with teachercollaboration.org
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Margaret is passionate about rural schools and the power of small schools to provide a high-quality education to rural children. A founding member of the Vermont Rural partnership Margaret has consistently advocated for excellence in rural schools, place-based learning and effective partnerships between schools and their communities.
Margaret supported the development of VREC as a coalition of school districts working together to support schools and their communities and is proud to be a board member of this vital organization.
Tim has collaborated with community partners to creatively schedule and utilize resources to optimize learning opportunities for students.
At-Large, JENNIFER BLAY, Teacher Lowell Graded School
Jennifer was born and raised in Newport, Vermont where she attended school in the district she now works in. She has always loved the Northeast Kingdom and chose to stay and raise her two children here in Lowell, Vermont with her husband. She feels it is a gift to be part of a small town where everyone knows each other and cares for one another. She has felt called to serve her community not just as an educator but also as a little league coach, Selectboard Member, PTA chair and Sunday school teacher.
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Jennifer is currently a Middle School Science Teacher for 6th through 8th graders at Lowell Graded School which is a rural school in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. She has been teaching for 20 years using a variety of endorsements from PreK, Elementary Education, Literacy Intervention and now most currently Middle School. She has Developed and implemented many Vermont Rural Education Collaborative and Missisquoi Watershed Basin Association grants. She has been a Speaker for the National Forum Advanced Rural Education for peer networking focusing on multi-year, community centered, student driven, stream restoration and stewardship project with collaborative efforts extending to the state level. She works hard to facilitate authentic opportunities for her students to engage in public speaking and works to create community impact with those same opportunities. These same beliefs of student centered work, place based learning, authentic community focused work in a rural place are what made her fall in love with and become such a passionate advocate for VREC as a board member. She most recently facilitated Professional Development with VREC for educators revolving around the theme of place based learning and VREC mini grants. The quote she most recently identifies with is “To walk into nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” by Mary Davis. With this in mind, she is in constant pursuit to educate by bringing the world into the classroom and making the community the learning environment by helping to make authentic connections for students in their communities and beyond.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
VREC is actively developing partnerships on a local state and national level. Our partnerships are based on mutually developed goals and are built over time.
