Lakeland Schools

Lakeland High School names Tatiana Godinho acting assistant principal

Castaldo appointed interim assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services

Tatiana Godinho will serve as the acting assistant principal at Lakeland High School.

Photo courtesy of Lakeland Central School District

Posted Friday, March 27, 2026 10:15 am

More news from the district

Lisa Castaldo has been appointed interim assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services. She brings more than 30 years of experience in education, including roles as a special education teacher, principal, director of special education, and assistant superintendent.

Castaldo holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Nyack College, two master’s degrees in education from Long Island University and Mercy University, a certificate of advanced study in educational leadership from LIU, and a doctorate in instructional leadership from St. John’s University. She most recently served as assistant superintendent in the Suffern Central School District and has supported Arlington Central as interim assistant superintendent. She also serves as adjunct professor and director of clinical experiences at St. Thomas Aquinas College.

By Miranda Ferrante

Editor

The Lakeland Central School District has appointed Tatiana Godinho as acting assistant principal at Lakeland High School.

Earlier this month, Lakeland named Alfonse Davino, previously assistant principal, as interim principal after longtime principal Chris Cummings announced he was stepping down. Godinho takes over Davino’s former role and will serve alongside him and Assistant Principal Samantha Stein.

According to a community update Friday from Superintendent of Schools Karen Gagliardi, Godinho brings nearly 20 years of experience in education, with a strong background in special education and instructional coaching. She began her career in Tarrytown before joining Lakeland in 2010, where she has served as a special education teacher, elementary math instructional coach, and secondary special education instructional coach.

“A resident of the district, Ms. Godinho is also a parent in the Lakeland community, further deepening her investment in the success and well-being of all its students,” Gagliardi wrote.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and sociology from the University of Miami, a master’s degree in elementary and special education from Mercy University, and an advanced certificate in educational leadership from Stony Brook University.

In the district announcement, Godinho called it “an honor” to step into the new role.

“I am committed to working collaboratively with staff, students, and families to build on the strong foundation of excellence within the Lakeland community,” she said.