For Allynn McLellan (BECE ’25), every child she teaches is a chance to shape the future.

The new Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) graduate crossed the stage on Friday, Oct. 17 during Brock’s 118th Convocation.

Already a dedicated professional when she began the program, McLellan has extensive experience supporting children with exceptionalities and creating positive learning environments where every child can learn in their own way.

Enrolling in BECE, which can be completed entirely online, allowed her to build on the foundational knowledge she learned while earning a two-year early childhood education (ECE) diploma.

“I’ve grown so much, personally and academically, especially through engaging with BECE courses exploring ethics and research — a key part of furthering inclusive education in the early years,” she said.

McLellan final thesis research explored educator’s perspectives of branded, licensed characters in children’s books, movies and popular culture, and how knowledge of these characters impacted engagement with children in educational settings.

“I found there was a great impact in learning when well-known characters, like Elmo or Dora the Explorer, for example, were used, there was increased engagement for young learners,” she said.

By utilizing a diverse lineup of characters in educational programming, McLellan said educators could incorporate many perspectives and themes related to topics such as gender identity and sustainability.

“There was an understanding among educators that the marketing of licensed characters is intentional and shaped by societal trends. When considered critically, licensed characters can provide a rich resource for introducing complex topics to a young audience,” she said.

Every character a child meets carries the potential to shape how they see themselves and others, said Associate Professor and BECE Program Dane Di Cesare.

“Ally’s work highlights how intentionally using familiar characters to explore concepts related to social justice can spark powerful learning moments for children. It is inspirational to see how her work can positively impact early childhood practice,” he said.

McLellan shared her research with the early childhood education community and broader public through the online 2025 BECE Symposium.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Ally since 2017, and it’s been incredible to witness her monumental growth. Seeing her share her findings and contribute to important conversations about how educators engage with children’s interests in the context of media and popular culture was a truly proud moment,” said Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Jaime Barratt.

But McLellan’s university experience was not without challenges, including dealing with her own illness and helping care for her late grandfather.

Determined to complete her degree, she persisted with strong family support. Her mother, father and grandfather moved to Niagara to make it easier for McLellan to attend fully engage in her education and the University community.

McLellan joined numerous student clubs, including the Creative Writing Club and Brock Horror Club, and completing Brock’s Campus-Wide Co-Curriculum, a collection of opportunities designed to help students make the most of their time on campus.

“I am grateful to be part of the supportive and caring community here. While I may be closing a chapter, my connection to the Brock community doesn’t end here — graduating feels like a new beginning.”