Leeann Kalliecharan
Executive VP and Co-Chair, Adopt-A-School
Leeann was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. She acquired her degree in Information Systems Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. She served as an IT manager for Pegasus Services, and worked closely with Digicel, in implementing their nationwide smart home monitoring system.
Leeann slowly began to reconnect with her passion for the arts. This passion led her to join the board of the Inventions and Creativity Through Art Retreat Centre (ICTA) in Trinidad. Working closely with the UN-endorsed ICTA retreat center, she created an art program for children aimed at practicing sustainable development goals in their activities. As a facilitator at this center, Leeann combined her passion for the arts to creatively find inclusive education methods that equiped students with confidence and raised their self-esteem.
Her work with ICTA inspired Leeann to start her own art business, offering digital art, paintings, sip and paint events, and children’s mindfulness through art sessions. Leeann even received a scholarship from the UN’s University for Peace for certification in the course, Educating in Changing Times, where she was able to work hand in hand with individuals across the globe in creating her very own mindfulness through art program for children. This growing passion for early childhood development led her to Canada to pursue a diploma in Early Childhood Education at George Brown College. The College’s international placement options, particularly in Jamaica—a culture closely connected to her own—drew her to the program.
Leeann’s journey into early childhood education took a significant turn when she was accepted to the Jamaica 2024 project, where she completed her final educator placement in Jamaica. This experience was transformative, reinforcing her belief in the foundational impact of play-based learning on children’s development. In June 2024, Leeann graduated with honors from George Brown College with a diploma in Early Childhood Education and became a registered early childhood educator in Canada. Her introduction to P.A.C.E. Canada began during her Jamaica placement, quickly piquing her interest as the organization aligned with her personal mission of advancing the early childhood education sector in the West Indies.
Her commitment to early childhood education also saw her volunteering in 2023 in Tanzania, Africa, where she worked at Golden Star Daycare. This experience forged lasting relationships and highlighted the global need for strong early childhood foundations. Leeann continues to support Golden Star Daycare, contributing to its sustainability and future growth.
Now a dedicated board member of P.A.C.E. Canada, Leeann aims to contribute to the early childhood education sector in the West Indies by sharing knowledge and advocating for practices that support children’s holistic development. Leeann believes there is a wealth of resources and insights that needs to be shared to create environments where children can thrive. As she looks forward to contributing to organizations like P.A.C.E., she is excited to bring her insights and experiences to support early childhood education in Jamaica and beyond.
At a recent George Brown College graduation ceremony the President of P.A.C.E. Canada, Sandra Whiting, presented the bursary for 2018 to Early Childhood Education student Tenisha Glean. This is an award that PACE provides each year to encourage students to pursue a career in childhood education.
