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We love hearing from students, teachers, authors, illustrators, volunteers, publishers –anyone who’s interested in literacy development and carrying the power of stories to schools in the Eastern Caribbean.
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Our Board Members
Sonya White
Co-Executive Director
Sonya was a teacher with Simcoe County and Upper Grand DSBs for over 20 years including a stint as an Itinerant Special Education Resource Teacher for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. In June 2017, Sonya was the recipient of the Fred L. Bartlett Memorial Award given by Ontario Public School Boards’ Association for outstanding contribution to education in Ontario.
Richard Clewes
Co-Executive Director
Richard’s love of words and pictures has guided his career as a writer and graphic designer for over 30 years. From 2007 – 2012 he was a member of the Board of the International Festival of Authors at Harbourfront Centre, Toronto. He is formerly a sessional instructor at OCAD University and the author of Finding Lily: A Memoir (2006). Prior to his career in design, he was a high school teacher in Ontario and The Bahamas.
Leonise Francois
Board Member
In St. Lucia, Leonise François is our Country Lead, co-ordinating book donations throughout the country and managing the annual Rainforest of Reading festivals each March Break. Prior to her retirement as Deputy Chief Education Officer in St. Lucia, Leonise was a teacher in Durham Catholic DSB. Leonise holds a Master in Education from McGill University. Since 2013, Leonise has been a member of the St. Lucia Teaching Service Commission overseeing teacher and principal appointments.
Robin Todd
Board Member
Robin recently retired, having taught English and Creative Writing for thirty years, including twenty years at Centennial Collegiate in Guelph. In addition to teaching, Robin committed a great deal of time to coaching cross country and track and field. Her passion for both reading and running is what first drew her to supporting OneWorld Schoolhouse five years ago. While at Centennial, she organized several Pass the Baton events as well as a Colour Run. Now that she is retired, she is eager to spend more time fostering a love of reading and running in young people both in Canada and in the Caribbean.
Peter Kendall
Board Member
Peter Kendall co-founded Earth Rangers with entrepreneur and environmentalist Robert Schad in 2004 and led the organization for 15 years. Thanks to Peter’s passion, innovation, and unique ability to inspire others, Earth Rangers is now the largest youth conservation organization globally, with more than 200,000 young members across Canada. Peter is the Executive Director of The Schad Foundation. In December 2019, Peter was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada.
Marlaina White
Youth Ambassador
Even from a young age, Marlaina has shown a strong conviction to make a difference. She is determined to motivate other students in Ontario to generously donate books so students in the Caribbean can have the same chances to imagine countless possibilities for their own future. As Student Ambassador, Marlaina helps create literacy-based activities for Rainforest of Reading. She also works tirelessly at every festival strengthening her love of reading and nurturing deep personal connections with her Caribbean counterparts.