Ms. Dena Gorden has been working with children most of her adult life.  She graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.  She later graduated from East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma with a Master’s Degree in Library Media.  She taught fourteen years in Oklahoma, and during ten of those years, she taught kindergarten children.  Then while living in Mena, Arkansas, she taught Kids College in a summer program at the Rich Mountain Community College.  She also was a lifeguard and taught beginning swimming lessons and also coached the eight-and-under swim team.   Ms. Dena is currently the Elementary Library Media Specialist at Pinewood Elementary.    She and husband Kent are parents to fourteen-year-old Katy, who is a member of JAX Cheer Squad and Jacksonville High School Cheerleader, both junior and varsity squad; Ally, age 18; Kyle, age 22; and Tosha, 26; and two granddaughters, Kailie and Abigail.  Ms. Dena worked the Huff ‘n Puff Day Camp four summers ago and then began teaching preschool gymnastics for us.  She will continue to teach her preschool classes as well as advanced preschool classes.  Dena has a wonderful way with children and is a great asset in our gymnastics program.  She has prepared a number of young gymnasts to move right into competitive gymnastics, bypassing the recreational classes.