Candidates
Candidates
Our Pledge to You
We will take politics out of the classroom.
We will work for YOU not special interests.
Angelic Schneider
Angelic Schneider is passionate about public education. She has dedicated herself, through her career as a middle school teacher, in the Parkland School District, for over 20 years to do the work that public schools guarantee, thereby providing a meaningful educational experience to every child. She has had the opportunity to volunteer to mentor and supervise several student teachers pursuing their educational degrees.
She has lived in the East Penn School District for twenty-three years. She has two children. Her son, Samuel, attends Eyer Middle School and her daughter, Lila, attends Emmaus High School. Both children previously attended Shoemaker Elementary School.
She has had the opportunity to work in a cosmetology and esthetic trade school for the last 16 years. As such, as a school board director, she will continue to advocate for productive partnerships with the trade schools in the area to allow all students to maximize their educational experience.
“Working in a trade school has afforded students opportunities to explore and successfully pursue their passions in a non-traditional way.”
Angelic is a graduate of Cedar Crest College with a Bachelor’s of the Arts. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Kutztown University. Angelic worked for over seven years, part-time for Behavioral Health Associates as well as the Intermediate Unit #21.
“Working with families and children, struggling with mental health issues was a truly rewarding chapter of my career.”
Angelic is focused on continuing to improve the infrastructure in the school district so that all stakeholders have a voice in the success of the district.
“My children are my greatest achievement. Having the opportunity to be a part of our school board will allow me to add insight, ideas, and suggestions that will improve and enhance our district, not only for my children but all the children. Being part of the important decision-making process and bridging the gaps between our schools, community, and teachers provides the greatest benefits for our school district.”
Kristofer DePaolo
Kris DePaolo was raised in Bethlehem Township, attended Freedom High School and went on to graduate from Bloomsburg University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He has been a licensed CPA since 2006 and currently the CEO and a shareholder with Werner & Company CPAs, PC, located in Wescosville. At the local level, he serves on the Board of Directors for Camelot for Children as their Vice President and Hillside School as Treasurer.
Camelot for Children is a non-profit organization providing year-round social and educational opportunities to children with disabilities and chronic or terminal illnesses in a supportive, developmentally appropriate, enriching environment in order to make the magic of childhood accessible to children with unique needs. Working with Board members, the executive director and leadership team, the organization successfully hosted its largest summer camp in 2022. These accomplishments are all while the non-for-profit is in Phase II of its capital improvement campaign.
I am running for school board with the goals of supporting our teachers and students, improving the quality of education, and encouraging an open dialog with parents. I believe that both my professional experience as a fiscally responsible leader will help to continue to help the district get back its reputation as the “District of Choice.”
Kris resides in Macungie with his wife, Linda, Carter and Ava, both current students in the East Penn School District. He can be found manning the sidelines of their sports activities within LMYA organization and watching them perform in their musical concerts. Outside of work, Kris enjoys family time exploring and hiking in national parks, biking, and attending sporting events.
Lawrence Huyssen
Lawrence Huyssen was born in the Philippines while his parents were serving as missionaries in the country. He spent the first 15 years of his life active in their missionary work while attending an international school modeled by the US public school system. In 2012, his family moved back to the United States and eventually settling down in Macungie, PA.
After graduating from Emmaus High School in 2015, Lawrence went on to attended Penn State University and now works as a Universal Banker at First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union. When asked, “Why would someone without children even be interested in running for School Board?” To that Lawrence responded “the time for action is always now. If I sit by and wait to have my own children in school; it will be too late to impact their education. I believe that the actions of the board today, create the district of tomorrow.”
As a taxpayer, Lawrence recognizes that it is the responsibility of the board to correctly allocate resources to enable our teachers to be effective, and to be fiscally responsible with taxpayer money. And as a more recent graduate of the East Penn School District Lawrence has seen firsthand how the actions of the board and administration impacts student body.
Lawrence believes that it is imperative that parents be involved in their children's education. And will work to build trust and transparency between administration, teachers, and parents.
Paul Barbehenn
Paul is a native of the Lehigh Valley and a Freedom High School graduate. He attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he received a bachelor degree in economics and political science. As a product of public education and having a family full of educators, Paul understands the value of a strong public education system, both for individual students, but also the community as a whole. When he and his wife moved back to the Lehigh Valley in 2008, they intentionally settled in the East Penn School District. He looks forward to having the opportunity to use his skills and experience to build on the strong legacy of academic excellence of the district.
Professionally, Paul is Senior Wealth Advisor for Mercer Advisors, and focuses on providing individuals and families with financial planning and wealth management. Paul lives in Macungie with his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters, who are both students in the East Penn School District.
Paul is deeply invested in the local community and serves on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown. He has been a member of the board since 2010, serving in a variety of capacities, including past board President, current Vice President, the chair of the Annual Gala Committee, the chair of the Governmental Relations Committee, and member of the Finance & Audit Committee. Paul is also the Treasurer for the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown Foundation and a member of the board of directors. Additionally, Paul is a member of the board of directors for Priority One Foundation, a relational outreach Christian ministry.
Matt Mull
Matt Mull graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1996 with a degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. He is currently the Engineering and Maintenance Manager at a local company.
Matt’s family moved back to Pennsylvania from Kansas City in 2006 and had lived in the East Penn School District for the last sixteen years. His parents were both teachers, and that has given him a unique perspective on the need to support our educators as well as the students, while keeping aligned with the community’s priorities.
All three of his amazing children graduated from Emmaus High School, and through them Matt was able to experience a wide range of student activities ranging from athletics, drama, dance, and clubs. Matt has been involved with numerous youth programs throughout his adult life, most recently chairing the Board of Directors for a non-profit camp for children ages 7-18.
Matt believes that the district has much to offer our students. If elected to the school board, Matt wants to help guide the district to the next level of service for all of its students and community members.