Mission
EAGLE School of Madison is an independent school dedicated to serving the academic, social, and emotional needs of gifted and talented children, kindergarten through eighth grade, in the greater Madison area.
We are committed to educating and inspiring gifted and talented children by fostering intellectual curiosity, providing academic rigor, and cultivating creativity while forming connections within a thriving and dynamic educational environment. We strive to advance academic excellence and nurture integrity while teaching students to think critically and relate to one another with acceptance and compassion.
Meet our EAGLE School Board Members
Photos by Andy Walder
John Stoneman
President
John and his wife, Jane, are the proud parents of four EAGLE School graduates, with their oldest child having enrolled in the Nest in 2000 and their youngest completing eighth grade and graduating from EAGLE School in 2019.
A lifelong Fitchburg resident, John earned a B.A. from Luther College and went on to receive both an M.B.A. and a J.D. from UW-Madison. He currently serves as President of Heartland Properties, Inc. and as Chairman of the Board of Settlers Bank.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, John is co-chair of the Community Advisory Group for Stanford Online High School.
Mary Olsky
Vice President
Mary is a co-founder of EAGLE School and has been deeply committed to supporting gifted education since its earliest days. She earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois and an M.A. in Literature from Eastern Michigan University. In addition, she has pursued classes in law school as well as numerous courses in the field of education, reflecting her lifelong interest in learning.
Mary divides her time between Madison and Scottsdale, Arizona, where she enjoys teaching bridge classes in both communities and sharing her enthusiasm for the game with students of all ages.
Wendy Johnson
Secretary
Wendy earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from UW–Madison and has been a licensed school psychologist for more than 25 years. She has worked at the pre-K through high school levels and most recently served as Lead Psychologist for the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) before retiring in 2021.
For 15 years, she has also maintained a private practice specializing in assessment and short-term therapy for talented and gifted children, adolescents, and young adults. Her expertise includes cognitive and academic testing, treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, and loss, as well as restorative justice practices and circle facilitation.
Lyn Macgregor
Treasurer
EAGLE School Board member Lyn Macgregor lives in Fitchburg with her husband, Ted Halsted, and their two daughters, Caroline and Jillian, both proud EAGLE graduates.
Lyn earned her B.A. at Boston University and began her career teaching high school Humanities and Drama, experiences that deepened her commitment to education and the arts. She later earned her Ph.D. in Sociology at UW–Madison, where she continues to teach and conduct research. Currently, her time is divided between appointments in UW’s Holtz Center for Science & Technology Studies and the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, where she focuses on education and society.
Samantha Crownover
Sam and her husband, Bruce, are proud parents of their daughter, Lilly, who attended EAGLE from 2009 to 2015. During those years, Sam volunteered as a parent aide and tennis coach and later served as chair of the EAGLE Forward: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
She is executive director of Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society, a chamber music festival she has led for 26 seasons, and is active in arts and architecture projects. She restored the award-winning 1868 Brisbane House in Arena, WI, now a vacation rental. A Wisconsin native, Sam enjoys pond hockey, traveling, and discovering farm-to-table cuisine.
Guy DuBeau
Guy holds a B.A. from the University of Missouri and both an M.S. and J.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He has been connected to EAGLE School since 1997, when his oldest son enrolled in the Nest. Over the years, he and his wife, Patti, proudly watched all four of their boys attend EAGLE, with their youngest graduating in 2020.
A dedicated volunteer, Guy served as President of the EPO and has been a member of the Board since 2001. In addition to his long service, he currently contributes his expertise as the Board’s legal counsel.
Erin Jonaitis
Erin Jonaitis has served on the EAGLE School Board of Directors since 2022. She and her husband, Graham, are the parents of Hazel, a current EAGLE student. Erin earned a Ph.D. in Psychology and an M.S. in Statistics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She works as a scientist and statistician at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, where her research focuses on memory, thinking, and cognitive health in middle-aged and older adults. Erin is enthusiastic about bringing both her professional expertise and her parent perspective to support EAGLE’s mission and the growth of its students.
Manish Patankar
Manish Patankar earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences and is a longtime member of the University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty, where his work focuses on teaching and research in the health sciences. He and his family have been part of the EAGLE community for many years.
EAGLE School provided the nurturing environment in which his daughter thrived as a student, preparing her well for success at UW–Madison after high school. Manish and his wife make their home in Fitchburg, where they enjoy being active in both the local community and the broader EAGLE family.
Beth Plovanich
Beth lives in Black Earth with her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Bria, who joined the EAGLE Nest in 2023.
Originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, Beth attended UW–Madison, earning a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies. She went on to Podiatry School in Chicago and completed a surgical residency in La Crosse before returning to Madison, where she is co-owner of a private podiatry practice with affiliations to UW Health and Meriter Hospital.
An enthusiastic home cook, Beth can almost always be found in the kitchen. She has also contributed her time and expertise to EAGLE by serving on the EPO since 2023.
Matt Thiel
Matt, his wife Emily, and their three children live on Madison’s near west side. The family has been involved with EAGLE since their daughter, Addie, started in the Primary in 2014, followed by their sons, Elliot and Julian, in 2017 and 2021.
Originally from Menasha, Wisconsin, Matt earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison. He began his engineering career at ACS, Inc., in Verona, where he is now Principal and Director of Facilities Planning and Integration.
Matt and his family enjoy outdoor activities, paddling, biking, sand volleyball, and following Wisconsin sports. He has served as EPO treasurer since 2023.
Ellen Bunn
Staff Liaison
Ellen has a B.A. in Anthropology and Geology from the University of California at Davis and M.A. degrees in Anthropology/Paleoanthropology from the University of California at Berkeley and in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has taken education classes at Edgewood College and is involved in ongoing professional development in various national organizations for educators and librarians.
Ellen and her husband have three adult children who are graduates of EAGLE School: the oldest enrolled in the Nest in 1993, and the youngest graduated in 2010. Ellen joined the EAGLE School staff in 2004 as a science teacher, has been the K-8 school librarian since 2009, and became staff liaison to the EAGLE School Board in 2018.
Joie Sunderman
EPO President
Joie Sunderman serves as the President of the EAGLE Parent Organization (EPO), supporting collaboration between families and educators to enrich the student experience. In 2009 she founded a real estate investment firm in Chicago. Joie managed properties alongside her husband until 2021, when she sold the company.
Residing in Fitchburg, Joie is a proud mother of two EAGLE School students Susan and Sloan. In her free time, she loves outdoor adventures, reading, and crafting.
Andy Wright
EAGLE School Director
EAGLE School DIrector Andy holds a Master of Education degree in Private School Leadership from the University of Hawaii, a Bachelor of Arts in Geology from Earlham College, and a teaching credential in K-12 Mathematics from California State University Fresno.
Throughout his many years in education, Andy has served as a science, math, and computer teacher; an Associate Dean of Students; an Associate Middle School Head; and a Head of Middle School in various settings across the country, including independent schools in Pennsylvania, Utah, New Mexico, and California.
Andy has served as the EAGLE School Director since 2018.