Dena Saunders is the co-lead teacher in the Spruce Toddler classroom and assists in the the Catalpa Pods Science class two days a week. Dena has lived in West Lafayette for over ten years along with her husband, Mike of 22 years and their two daughters Zylee, 14, and Morgan, 8.  Zylee attended MSGL for two years and this will be Morgan’s third year in the Hickory Elementary program.  In 2007, Dena started as an assistant teacher in the toddler room with Lena Atkinson.  She then took a maternity leave from teaching to have her second child.  Dena is returning in the Spruce Toddler room for her seventh year as the lead teacher and this will be her fourth year assisting Constance Straight in the Science program.  Dena enjoys being outdoors, traveling, gardening, running and swimming. She loves spending time with her family and attending her daughter's sporting events. 

I knew from a young age that I loved working with children.  I love how unique each child is and I enjoy watching them learn and grow in their own way. I believe facilitating a child's independence is important and allows a child to reach their full potential.

In 1994, Dena received a degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University.  She has held many different positions in education since receiving her degree, some of which include substitute teaching, tutoring, a Director of Education for Sylvan Learning Center in Minnesota, and a first grade teacher for 7 years while living in Maine.  Dena attended Seton Montessori Institute in Chicago and has been AMS certified in Birth to Three since Fall 2012.  This will be Dena’s eighth year with MSGL.