Meet the Allwein Society Members
The Allwein Society is a recognition program honoring school directors who are outstanding leaders and advocates on behalf of public schools and students. This prestigious honor was created in 2011 in memory of Timothy M. Allwein, a former PSBA staff member who exemplified the integrity, dedication and commitment to advance political action for the benefit of public education. Tim inspired and helped many others to become successful advocates.
Learn more about the Allwein Society members below.
Karen Beck Pooley
2022, Bethlehem Area S D (Northampton Co.)
Dr. Karen Beck Pooley, a professor of political science at Lehigh University and a school director at the Bethlehem Area School District since 2015, has taken on increasingly broader regional and statewide roles as a public education advocate. She organized and has led efforts for fair education funding on behalf of BASD Proud Parents, a districtwide group of parents and advocates. She is a trusted source of information for elected officials and local reporters and has provided testimony to House committees.
Liz Sheehan
2022, New Hope-Solebury SD (Bucks Co.)
Liz Sheehan, school director at the New Hope-Solebury School District where she has served two terms as board president, is a tireless advocate for public education and a student-centered approach in schools. Her consistent efforts to build relationships with lawmakers have resulted in district visits from legislators. Through involvement in the community and commitment to constructive dialog districtwide, she is a champion for student opportunity and success.
Laura Johnson
2021, Pottstown School District (Montgomery Co.)
Laura Johnson is a passionate and well-informed advocate on the issue of fair funding, educational spending and state funding. She serves as treasurer for the Pottstown School District board as well as the board’s liaison to the Montgomery County Legislative and to PSBA. She is also the Fair Funding Advocacy Leader on the board’s Public Relations/Community Engagement Committee.
Mike Faccinetto
2019, Bethlehem Area School District (Northampton Co.)
Mike Faccinetto is the immediate past president of PSBA and has spent the past several years as a leading advocate for public education. He is a central voice and leader on issues impacting public education. Faccinetto serves as a board director for the Bethlehem Area School District and the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School. He is a PSBA Accredited School Director Leader (PSBA-ASDL) and served on the Commonwealth Education Blueprint Steering Committee.
Jill Dennin
2019, Boyertown Area School District and Berks County Intermediate Unit (Berks Co.)
Jill Dennin is an active advocate for public education and frequently informs legislators of the impact of specific legislation. She serves on the board of the Boyertown Area School District and is a member of the Legislative Advisory Committee, Berks County Intermediate Unit board and is co-chair of the EdPAC board.
Joyce Wilkerson
2019, the School District of Philadelphia (Philadelphia Co.)
Joyce Wilkerson demonstrates outstanding leadership and advocacy efforts on behalf of public education. Wilkerson serves as the board president for The School District of Philadelphia. She works diligently not only for Philadelphia students but also surrounding counties to ensure a unified voice for fair funding and charter reform.
Kathy Swope
2019, Lewisburg Area School District (Union Co.)
Kathy Swope exhibits exemplary school board leadership and governance as a former board director at the Lewisburg Area School District. Swope currently serves as a board member for the Green Dragon Foundation, the Lewisburg Area School District’s education foundation. For many years, Swope was a member of Lewisburg Area School District board of education and has provided testimony on key issues. She is an outspoken supporter of public education on the local, state and national level. Swope is a Retired PSBA Accredited School Director Leader (ASDL-R) and served on the Commonwealth Education Blueprint Steering Committee.
Richard L. Frerichs
2016, Penn Manor School District (Lancaster Co.)
Richard Frerichs is a leading voice for public education and effective mobilizer of grassroots advocacy. He has contributed to a wealth of advocacy efforts to promote initiatives that benefit students and educational stakeholders. After a career in education, Frerichs continues to serve on the board of Penn Manor School District and on the board of the district’s education foundation. He previously served as the board president of the Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13. Frerichs is also a PSBA Accredited School Director Leader (PSBA-ASDL) and served on the Commonwealth Education Blueprint Steering Committee.
Lynn L. Foltz
2015, Wilmington Area School District (Lawrence Co.)
Lynn Foltz is respected by her colleagues as a knowledgeable resource regarding advocacy issues and lobbying with local legislators. She passionately contributed to her community and the commonwealth as board president of Wilmington Area School District. Foltz served as a member of the board of directors of Midwestern Intermediate Unit 4 and as a PSBA Region 9 director.
Mark B. Miller
2014, Centennial School District (Bucks Co.)
Mark B. Miller is a passionate advocate with a strong commitment to public education at both the state and federal level. Miller has held numerous positions with PSBA and NSBA and serves on the board at Centennial School District. Mark also is co-chair of the Keystone State Education Coalition and was appointed to the board of the Network for Public Education.
Shauna M. D’Alessandro
2014, West Jefferson Hills School District (Allegheny Co.)
Shauna D’Alessandro is committed to the betterment of public education in the commonwealth and educating fellow board directors. For years, she served as the president of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, vice president of the West Jefferson Hills School District board and PSBA Region 14 representative. D’Alessandro also served as the president of the South Hills Area School District Association.
Tina Viletto
2013, School District of Cheltenham Township (Montgomery Co.)
Tina Viletto currently serves as the director of community and government relations for Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23 (MCIU). Prior to her service with MCIU, Viletto was a board director and board president at Cheltenham Township School District.
Roberta M. Marcus
2012, Parkland School District (Lehigh Co.)
Roberta M. Marcus is a longtime advocate for public education and a past PSBA president. She served as a board director and board president at Parkland School District. Marcus earned the Master School Board Director designation from PSBA and currently acts as the association’s consultant in residence. Marcus is a Retired PSBA Accredited School Director Leader (ASDL-R) and served on the Commonwealth Education Blueprint Steering Committee.
Lawrence Feinberg
2011, The School District of Haverford Township (Delaware Co.)
Lawrence Feinberg is an active member of PSBA and his community. He currently serves as an advocacy ambassador for the association and as the board president at The School District of Haverford Township. He has served as a board director for the district since 1999.