Meet Our Staff
Donna Gunn-Newkirk, owner
Donna has been involved in gymnastics since 1975, as a competitor, coach, and instructor. In 1993, she established Donna’s Gym-nastics. In her 34 years as a public educator, Donna taught Dance and Elementary PE teacher at Fine Arts School for 11 years in Racine and for 23 years, worked as a Special/Adapted PE teacher in Kenosha and Racine Counties, working with children with special needs.
Donna has a M.S. degree in Physical Education for Special Populations (Adapted Physical Education PreK-12) from UW-LaCrosse, a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education (PreK-12), and minor in Dance from State University of New York at Brockport. She was also a member of Brockport State Women’s Gymnastics Team. In 2007, she obtained her Elementary Education (PreK-6) license program through Cardinal Stritch University. Donna has a total of 3 Wisconsin state teaching licenses.
Donna has been teaching & coaching gymnastics since 1984. Her first coaching job was at Henrietta Gymnastics Training Center in Rochester, NY. She has directed several recreational gymnastics programs in Western New York and coached high school and middle school gymnastics teams in Kenosha, WI. In 1995, she was a USA Gymnastics Grant Recipient in Rhythmic Gymnastics.
For 10 years, Donna directed a Dance Troupe at the Stephen Bull Fine Arts school and was the coordinator of Jump Rope and Hoop for Heart Events with her special need students for 17 years. In 2001, she received an award for her work as a Special Educator from the Tri-county Association for the Education of Young Children. Donna has 30 years of experience as aquacise and Red Cross Swimming Instructor.
Queenita Gamble
Queenita was the recipient of an 8-year Level 10 Division 1 full scholarship. She holds a BA in sports management, business emphasis and business minor. She also obtained her masters in Kinesiology and Sports Management.
In her spare time, she loves to play the cello and attend various festivals throughout the year.
Sharon Jensen
Sharon coached high school track & field, and soccer. With her love for soccer it was not a surprise when she volunteered to coach the youth soccer team. Sharon graduated from the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse with a BA in Physical Education, and a minor in Adaptive Physical Education.
Sharon enjoys bicycling, swimming, and playing soccer with her husband and 3 children. She loves spending time with friends and family but enjoys the serenity she finds from quite walks alone.
Natalie Bielen
Natalie is a student at Indian Trail High School and Academy. Natalie went to Donna’s Gym-nastics as a student and team member for 6 years. In her eighth-grade year a Lincoln Middle School, she was on the cheer team.
In Natalie’s free time she likes to play volleyball, spend time with her friends and family, and most of all watch Netflix.
Lexi Olivares
Lexi is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology with minors in Philosophy and Holistic Health at UW-Milwaukee. She was a dancer, gymnast, and cheerleader for 8 years and has recently been exploring different dance styles. She has an extensive background in theatre, as well as, working with children in the area of performing arts.
As an aerialist, Lexi is passionate about movement-based arts and is currently teaching silk/sling classes for Donna’s
Gym-nastics.