Meet Your Teachers

Ms. Ali
Ms. Ali (Alison) is the preschool director and has been with Asbury Early Learning Center since 2004, when her daughter started in the 2 year old class. She worked with infants and toddlers primarily, but also did some work with the other age groups, while also assisting the director when needed. In 2010, Alison took over the role of preschool director and has striven to continue our tradition and reputation as a small, close knit community of teachers and families, while also bringing our center into the 21st century. She loves to continuously look for ways to improve the preschool and its presence in the church and the community. Alison cares deeply about her preschool teachers, parents and students and wants everyone's experience with Asbury to be positive. She is very busy as the mom of 3 teen kids and is involved with her kids' activities of lacrosse and cheerleading. She has also gone back to school, herself. Alison has been a member of Asbury United Methodist Church since 2001 and loves her church family as well.

Ms. Astrid

Ms. Liz

Ms. Liz has over 20 years in education, teaching infants - 3rd grade. She has taught VPK and has also served as a preschool director, however, she truly loves working with toddlers and providing so many new experiences. Liz believes that it is most important that the children in her care feel safe and loved so that they will be ready to learn, and also recognizes that learning is a journey and not a race. She is married and has 3 children. Liz enjoys spending time with her family, and especially loves returning to her hometown of New Orleans. She is a huge Saints fan!

Ms. Lori

Ms. Lori has found her calling as our 2 year old toddler class teacher. She has been at Asbury ELC since 2012 and has also worked with our 1 year old and 3 year old class. Lori is very loving, patient, and makes sure that the children in her care have a wonderful learning experience in a safe and fun environment. She is so patient and gentle. Parents and children love her. Ms. Lori has 3 boys of her own; 1 in high school, 1 in middle school, and 1 in elementary school. When she is not working here, she is busy taking them to all of their various activities.

Ms. Victoria
Ms. Victoria has been teaching with Asbury since 2015 and has worked with both our 1 and 2 year olds. She enjoys fostering independence skills and a love of art with the children she works with. She is a Navy veteran, has lived in Australia, but returned to Orlando to be with her family. She studied both communications and event planning in college. In addition to working as a teacher, she also stays extremely busy working as a nanny. Victoria has 3 dogs who she considers her children, and in her spare time enjoys going out with friends, going to Universal, and whittling.

Ms. Michelle
Ms. Michelle has been with Asbury Early Learning Center, off and on, for 30 years (since it started, as a moms morning out program). She has her CDA (Child Development Associate), and is always up for learning new things. We just love having her here!! She is so patient, kind, and amazing at building children's confidence in their own abilities. Michelle is a health enthusiast; eating right, biking and hiking. She is an avid reader and loves to travel whenever she gets a chance.

Ms. Latoya

Ms. Latoya has been an early childhood educator for 15 years. She has her Child Development Associate (CDA) and has served as the director of a center as well. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has 3 boys (elementary, middle, and high school). She is enjoying being able to teach in the classroom again and have plenty of time for her boys' activities. Latoya loves spending time with her family, photography and art. She is very strong in her Christian faith and shares this love with the children in her class. She truly believes that if you train the child up in the way they should go, when they are older, they will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Ms. Melissa

Ms. Michaela
Ms. Michaela has been a wonderful addition to our staff! She is a recent graduate of UCF and a recent newlywed. She comes from a very large family that includes 9 brothers / sisters and 13 nieces / nephews. In her free time she loves to spend time with family and friends-especially outdoors, travel, and she also plays on a flag football team (coached by her husband). Michaela believes that when you are fully invested and provide a safe environment, children will flourish. She hopes to obtain her Masters in Behavioral Science and create a non-profit for children struggling with anxieties.