Current Instructors

 Ali is the Executive Director of the Winter Park Day Nursery, a nonprofit preschool serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. She joined in 2005 and has served as Executive Director since 2011. Ali holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado and a master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College, along with a certificate in Marriage & Family Therapy. She also holds an Advanced Level Florida Child Care Director Credential.

She is actively involved in the Central Florida community, serving on the Education Committee for the League of Women Voters and as President Elect of the Rotary Club of Winter Park. Ali lives with her husband, Geoff, and their son, Dillon.

Annalise Pforr is a current PhD student at the University of Central Florida, where she focuses on early medieval Byzantine archaeology in central Anatolia. Her research interests lie in the intersection of anthropology, material culture, geospatial archaeology, and digital technologies, with a focus on using digital humanity and geospatial methods to increase the accessibility of threatened material culture and cultural heritage.

Betsy Gardner is a dynamic and visionary CEO with an exceptional track record spanning startup ventures, growth-stage enterprises, and turnaround scenarios. Her leadership journey has been defined by a relentless pursuit of revenue growth and organizational transformation across global markets. From the bustling streets of London to the vibrant communities of Florida, Betsy's impact has resonated far and wide.

As President and CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, she has steered the organization toward unprecedented heights. Under her guidance focusing on innovation, the Chamber achieved the prestigious Chamber Innovation Grand Prize award for North America within the first two years of her tenure, and a Top 3 National Chamber of the Year in 2023, during the Chamber’s Centennial year. 

  Dr. Carl Creasman has been Professor of History at Valencia College since 2002, the Chair for the discipline on the East Campus since 2009. His focus of study is Revolutionary Europe, from the Renaissance through the French Revolution, or as he often says focusing his scholarship on "how societies morph and change over time."  Dr. Creasman also has degrees in Psychology, Theology, Bible, and most recently completed his Doctorate in Ministry in Semiotics, Church, and Culture. 

Dr. Christina Risner is a lifelong learner that has a passion for anatomy and optimizing movement to improve the human experience. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy that specialized in orthopedics and therapeutic exercise. She currently works in clinical research for Stryker and moonlights as an adjunct professor at AdventHealth University teaching anatomy & physiology and medical terminology. 

 Christy is the Executive Director of the Winter Park Historical Association. Originally from Tampa, she earned a degree in Sociology and Communications from the University of Pittsburgh before returning to Central Florida.

After a career in event planning and her family’s printing business, she followed her passion for local history, joining the Winter Park History Museum and becoming Executive Director in 2020.

Christy serves on several local boards and was named one of Winter Park Magazine’s Most Influential People in 2021. She is also a photographer with a passion for capturing everyday moments.

 Daniel J. Turk is a counselor, educator, and writer with more than twenty years of experience teaching and presenting across schools, nonprofits, and community organizations. A lifelong Floridian, he has combined his background in education with his passion for local history and storytelling to explore the fascinating world of Walt Disney World. From the earliest days of Walt Disney’s Florida Project to the quirky, forgotten attractions of the 1980s and 90s, Dan brings to life the hidden stories that shaped the Vacation Kingdom of the World. He is also a ride share driver where he serves as an Orlando city ambassador, giving him a unique, ground-level perspective on the evolving culture of Central Florida tourism.

 Dr. Daniel Galante is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon specializing in advanced, minimally invasive approaches to colorectal care. His expertise includes robotic, laparoscopic, and TAMIS techniques for the treatment of colon and rectal cancer. He also provides comprehensive surgical care for patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and common anorectal conditions such as hemorrhoids, fistulas, and perianal abscesses.

Recognized as a 2024 Premier Doctors honoree in Colon and Rectal Surgery, Dr. Galante is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care grounded in clinical excellence. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and was awarded the Gershon Efron, MD Resident of the Year Award for his dedication to patient safety, leadership, and teamwork.

Elaine Person is a writer, instructor, editor, speaker, performer, and photographer whose work has appeared in numerous publications and anthologies, including A Century of College Humor. She is a co-editor of the Florida State Poets Association’s annual anthology and an award-winning writer, with honors from the Saturday Evening Post, the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, and the Florida State Poets Association.

Elaine performs a one-woman show, Humor in a Hurried and Harried World, writes personalized poems and stories, and teaches writing workshops. She received the 2022 Florida Writers Association Kaye Coppersmith Award for Writers Helping Writers and joined the Crealdé faculty in 2022.