St. Louis Association for Gifted Education: About Us

Board of Directors
Dr. Agnes Meyo, co-president of SAGE, is a licensed psychologist with more than 20 years of experience specializing in counseling, testing, and advocacy for gifted children and adults. Dr. Meyo has served on the SAGE Board and Gifted Resource Council for more than 15 years. She is also the coordinator of Metro Council and manages both a gifted parent support group and a support group for Gifted-Aspergers. She has given presentations regarding gifted issues in several states.

Dr. Laurie Senol, co-president of SAGE, joined the Board of Directors in 2006. She is a practicing general internist, working with adolescents and adults since 1997. She also has degrees in Computer Science, Biology, and English. As a mother of two gifted children, one of whom is in the Program for Exceptionally Gifted Students, she has been an advocate of gifted children for many years. She was an active member of the Parkway School District Gifted Education Committee from 2004 to 2007.

Michelle Ryder, vice president of SAGE, has been an educator since the early 1980s. Her teaching career began in Houston, Texas, where she taught grades 4 and 5. After relocating to St. Louis in 1990, she began teaching gifted students in the Lindbergh School District and then became the coordinator of the program in 1993. Currently, she is also the administrator of the Program for Exceptionally Gifted Students. In addition, Michelle is an active member of NAGC and serves on a national task force for assessment.

Stacey Hunter, Treasurer.

Sheila Glazer, corresponding secretary of SAGE, has been a teacher of gifted since 1980. Although retired from full-time teaching, she has continued to advocate for gifted children by providing enrichment in public and private schools, as well as College For Kids, and coordinating evaluation for Missouri Future Problem Solving Scenario Writing Contest. She has also taught a variety of classes through local universities, at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and has supervised many student teachers.

Susan Jesse, recording secretary of SAGE, has been a teacher and advocate of gifted children since 1992. She currently teaches in the gifted program, grades 6 through 8, in the Mehlville School District. Prior to her current position, she taught 10 years at the elementary level in Mehlville’s gifted program and, for many years, has taught classes for Meramec’s College For Kids and Gifted Resource Council’s Summer Space Academy.

Karen Caradonna joined the SAGE Board in 2008 and is Director of Marketing/Fundraising and Membership. She consults and speaks on topics related to the educational and emotional needs of gifted and high potential children, with emphasis on parenting of gifted children with learning disabilities. She is a mother of three gifted/high potential children. Her experience includes education, training, and working in the film and commercial industry.

Stacy Castro.

David Faulkner.

Peggy Harris joined the SAGE Board in 2008. She has been involved in the education and advocacy for the gifted for almost 20 years. She is the parent of two gifted children, both of whom were in MEGSSS and received state honors in the Duke Talent Identification Program. Her daughter attended Missouri Scholars Academy and earned a National Merit Scholarship. Peggy has also worked extensively advocating on behalf of individuals with food allergies.

Bethany Hill-Anderson, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at McKendree University. Her passion for gifted children and gifted education is rooted in years of raising gifted-identified children (now teenagers!) and working with pre-service teachers. She has presented to a variety of audiences on gifted issues including characteristics of giftedness, twice exceptional, and acceleration. She is an advocate to the Illinois State Board of Education Budget Committee for increased funding for gifted education.

Sunny Pervil.

Cynthia Schon joined the SAGE Board in 2008. Her interest in gifted education and advocacy began as a student; it greatly increased when her daughter’s early giftedness was identified and required advocacy plus a change in schools in order to meet her needs. Her child is now very happily enrolled in the Program for Exceptionally Gifted Students. During the day, Cynthia serves as Facilities Manager for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, overseeing the needs of Powell Symphony Hall.

Michelle Bonebrake joined SAGE as business manager in 2008. Identified as gifted in elementary school, she attended Missouri Scholars Academy in 1991and is a graduate of the University of Missouri. Michelle has written columns for the local newspaper and advocacy letters to elected officials regarding needs of gifted students. She is a parent of two children; one attends the Program for Exceptionally Gifted Students and one attends preschool.

Gloria Decker, administrative assistant for SAGE, has been with the organization since 2001, when she started as a board member. Before coming to SAGE, Gloria taught fourth grade for 13 years and gifted classes for 17 years in the Windsor School District. While working with SAGE in a variety of capacities, she continues to advocate for gifted children through her contact with parents and teachers.