The William Floyd School District recently appointed three educators to serve as assistant principals beginning this school year. The new assistant principals include Paul Vassallo at William Floyd High School, Roanie Taveras at William Floyd Middle School, and Monika Garguilo at William Paca Middle School. All three educators bring extensive educational experience, strong leadership skills and commitment to student success in their new roles.

Paul Vassallo, William Floyd High School
Paul Vassallo is an experienced educator who has served more than 12 years in secondary education in the William Floyd School District, including as a technology education teacher, dean of students, attendance mentor, athletic coach and volunteer. He is skilled in helping to build a positive school culture, supporting instruction, and managing student behavior. He has a strong background in technology education and served as the first Geometry in Construction co-teacher, a class that helped students see real-world applications of mathematics through hands-on building projects.

In 2020, the New York State School Boards Association recognized the William Floyd Board of Education with the “Champions of Change for Kids” award for the Geometry in Construction course. This award highlights districts that bring positive and meaningful changes to the students, communities and districts in New York State.

In addition to his experience serving as a coach or assistant coach for several middle school and high school athletic teams. Mr. Vassallo was also instrumental in bringing the William Floyd Girls’ Youth Lacrosse program to William Floyd, serving as its first president and creator.

Mr. Vassallo earned his Bachelor of Science in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego and his Masters of Education in School Leadership from Touro University. He has taken over the assistant principal role previously held by Lisa Paschitti, who now serves as the administrator overseeing the GED program.

Roanie Taveras, William Floyd Middle School
Roanie Taveras joins William Floyd Middle School with several years in education as a middle school social worker in the Patchogue-Medford School District. More recently she served as her former district’s lead social worker and the social worker overseeing the Raider Academy, a new alternative high school program at Patchogue-Medford similar to the Floyd Academy in the William Floyd School District.

Ms. Taveras’s career experience includes serving as a medical social worker, where she helped patients and families with emotional support, navigating the healthcare system, advocating for patient needs and more. She also conducted an internship for the Suffolk County Youth Felony program at Suffolk County Family Court in Central Islip. Earlier in her career, she served as a paraprofessional in the Bay Shore School District.

Ms. Taveras, who is bilingual, earned several degrees including an Associate of Applied Science in Chemical Dependency from Suffolk County Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Stony Brook University, and a Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing) from Stony Brook University. She also holds various certifications including: School Building Leadership, School District Leadership, Licensed Master Social Worker, Public School Teacher, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, and Trauma Specialization. This role was previously held by Sonia Montalvo, who accepted a position with Bay Shore schools as the Assistant Director of World Languages, ENL and Dual Language.  

Monika Garguilo, William Paca Middle School
Monika Garguilo has been a member of the William Paca Middle School community since 2015, when she joined Paca as an English teacher. Throughout her tenure, she has served as a student council advisor, teacher ambassador, new teacher mentor, and, over the past two years served as a Dean of Students and a Teacher on Special Assignment, working closely with the principal and assistant principals on managing attendance, student discipline, standardized testing, duty schedules, providing assistance on the master scheduling for all students, implementing school safety drills and building hall sweeps, organizing and overseeing school events and much more.

Ms. Garguilo earned a Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education from Dowling College, a Master of Science in Literacy from Dowling College, completed Google-Certified Educator Graduate courses at Stony Brook University and earned her School Building Leader certification from Molloy University. She holds NYS certifications in Childhood Education, Students with Disabilities, Literacy and as a School Building Leader. This position was previously held by Jennifer Engmann, who retired at the end of last school year.

Congratulations to the new assistant principals and best wishes in your new roles!