Renee Allen

My career path is the convergence of two of my biggest passions — writing and educating. In Grade 6, I wrote a letter to my future self hoping she’d become the journalist of her dreams. In 2017, I graduated from the University of Toronto with a journalism degree and the intention to take the editorial world by storm. However, while freelancing, I started working with children and youth. I spent years playing teacher’s assistant for my mom in Jamaica so working with children and youth again felt like a homecoming. With a reignited passion for education, I became an Ontario Certified Teacher in 2022. 

Working at the intersection of education and technology allows me to leverage my skills as a writer to craft impactful educational content used in classrooms across Canada. I have a deep passion for cultivating meaningful learning opportunities for students beyond brick and mortar classrooms. I create educational modules and virtual learning materials that challenge students to examine interlocking systems of oppression, explore their identities and cultivate a deeper sense of community. My family’s legacy as educators and changemakers is the foundation of my work and pays homage to their impact. 

My love for research began as a child. I spent hours in the library exploring books on topics that piqued my interest. When I got home from school, I’d ask my grandmother endless questions about Jamaica’s history on her veranda. Nurturing my keen attention to detail and natural curiosity has sustained my collaborations with heritage organizations on projects focused on amplifying untold stories and documenting lived experiences. Currently, I’m working towards becoming an archivist and steward of Black histories. 

When I’m not exploring archival materials or creating educational content, I’m reading the books that keep outgrowing my bookshelf or visiting a new city on my bucket list.

Topics of Interest

Education, History, Storytelling, Travel, Social Justice, Grief, Music, Caribbean Diaspora  

Areas of Skill

Research, Copywriting, Curriculum Development, Lesson Planning, Learning Management Systems