Prescott Woman Magazine chatted with Dena Ford, Director of Skyview School, to find out what makes her enjoy Prescott and everything it has to offer.
PWM: How long have you lived in Prescott?
Dena: 34 years, practically a native!
PWM: Why did you choose Prescott as your home?
Dena: My family moved here during my senior year of high school from Poway, California. I finished out my senior year in Poway with the understanding that I would move here after graduation. Of course, I agreed. I would have agreed to anything so that I did not have to leave in the middle of my senior year, but Prescott was the last place I wanted to live as a 17-year-old southern Californian! I moved here the day after I graduated and cried the whole drive out, which I am sure wasn’t easy for my parents. I slowly adapted, discovered all the hiking and mountain biking trails here, worked at the old Super X Drugstore in the old Prescott Mall, then at El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant. I went to Yavapai College before going to the University of Arizona. As my siblings graduated from Prescott High School, they all went back to California, and after 10 years my parents went back too. I was the only one that stayed and made Prescott my home! After graduating from the University of Arizona, I taught at Primavera School for 11 years, met my husband, a Prescott College graduate who works for Sedona Fire, and then began teaching at Skyview School.
PWM: What’s your occupation?
Dena: I am the Director of Skyview Charter School.
PWM: Do you have any kids?
Dena: I have two children, a daughter who is just about to turn 16, and a son who is about to turn 13.
PWM: What is your favorite thing about living in the Prescott area?
Dena: I love how beautiful it is here with Granite Mountain, Thumb Butte and the Granite Dells!
PWM: How do you think Prescott enhances your occupation and hobbies?
Dena: I love hot yoga and hiking; during the time when I was teaching, I would take my classes hiking the different trails in Prescott, Sedona, and Flagstaff while identifying the trees of Arizona.
PWM: Are you working on anything new or exciting for the upcoming year?
Dena: I am looking for local artists in residence to share their expertise with Skyview School students!
PWM: If you could contribute to anything in the Prescott area, what would it be and why?
Dena: To have all our Prescott community members invest in the education of our children, the future of our world. To quote Margaret Mead and our mantra at Skyview School, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
To learn more about Dena and Skyview School, visit https://www.skyviewschool.org/