Seamus Kelleher

“Mr. Kelleher fundamentally impacted my growth in the arts and as an adolescent aspiring to be a singer. 

He brought out parts in myself that were buried by self-doubt and then curated opportunities to cultivate them throughout the tapestry of my entire high school experience in the dramatic arts.  He’s an extractor of inner talents and confidence. I also witnessed this first hand, year after year, in how he went above and beyond for others to see the potential he saw in his students. His selfless motivation to provide a platform for everyone to shine using their unique abilities as a team is what separates an educator from a mentor. I’m incredibly grateful to have crossed paths with him in this life and to still have him in my corner, decades later, celebrating my wins with such genuine happiness at seeing his alumni succeed.  He’s a precious gem in his own right with a natural ability and years of experience in extracting the unique diamonds that each person possesses.”

Michelle Madeira
International Singer/Songwriter

“Seamus is a natural leader, whether in the classroom, the football field, or the director’s chair. Like any great leader, he sees potential in those around him and inspires confidence to take risks, reflect on goals, and act toward self-improvement. I have often channelled his sincerity and wisdom in my own leadership and mentorship roles during my career in the Arts and have seen young artists thrive to become nationally celebrated in their craft. Seamus’ contagious care and inspiration is truly impactful.”

Daniel Carter
Arts and Culture Leader
Award-Winning Playwright

“Seamus Kelleher was my drama teacher for four years, however he was more than just a teacher. He inspired, motivated, and expressed dedication in the room every single day. If I had to sum him up in one word it would be Passionate. Throughout the years of knowing him, he has been my teacher, my life coach, my mentor, and my friend.”

Joshua Bailey
Actor

“Mr. Kelleher radiates positivity and consistently shows up for the people around him. His daily pep talks, and unwavering support even outside of the arts have left a lasting impression on me. He always believed in us—he believed in me—and provided countless opportunities to showcase our talents. He had an incredible ability to encourage us, whether that be in daily life obstacles or when we felt we weren’t performing at our best. Whether in class or through extracurricular activities, his dedication to his students was clear. His constant support and presence made all the difference in my journey, and it’s something I’ll never forget.
When I look back on my high school years, it’s not the math, chemistry, or lunch periods with friends that stand out. Instead, it’s the countless drama classes, after-school musical practices, and performances that I truly cherish. I speak from my own experience, but I know from talking to my high school friends today that Mr. Kelleher left a lasting impact on all of us. He inspired us to believe in ourselves, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.”

Nikita Kalicharan
Client Care Coordinator Manager

“Seamus Kelleher is an inspiring teacher, mentor, coach and a great friend. I cannot thank Mr. Kelleher enough for the guidance and opportunities he’s provided me. Through his mentorship, I was able to develop the right mindset to be able to pursue my dreams in life. I am eternally grateful for having him in my life.”

Michael Bartlett
Barrister & Solicitor

“Seamus is a dedicated, inspirational educator who has a unique ability to discover and nurture the talents of young people with whom he interacts. Having known Seamus for over twenty years, I have witnessed first-hand the many characteristics and talents that he possesses and willingly shares in making a significant difference in their lives. Seamus cares passionately about the well-being of each individual, working diligently to understand their strengths and potential and then sets about to work with them in achieving the successes that he knows they are capable of. Seamus believes that each person can reach great heights and he motivates and instils self-confidence to assist them in doing so.”

Joseph Geiser
Former Executive Director – Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario
Board of Directors – Maple Bear Global Schools

“Mr. Kelleher was a huge influence in my life as a teenager. It is safe to say, I would not have become the person I am today without him in my life. It’s not a coincidence that I am now a high school teacher myself. He showed me how fun a classroom could be and that school is more than just textbooks. It’s about making connections with others; it’s about inspiring; it’s about building confidence in young teens. I am trying my best to emulate what he did for me and for my students.

In the evenings, I am also a professional stand-up comedian. Mr. Kelleher had a huge influence on me becoming a comedian. He gave me the confidence to stand in front of the room; taught me how to write creatively and produce my own shows at a young age. It’s because of Mr. Kelleher I ended up becoming a comedian. I have now been performing consistently on stage for 8 years and I am proud to say I am employed by the largest Canadian comedy club in Canada – Yuk Yuk’s. My career in teaching and comedy would not have happened if it wasn’t for this man.”

Ronald Hae
High School Teacher/Comedian

“Seamus Kelleher knew of my inclination towards music and dropped me a nugget of an album that will forever be part of my music repertoire. He lent me a copy of Maceo Parker’s “Life On Planet Groove” to take in and was blown away. Not only did he help improve my writing skills, but he also opened up a discovery of music that I was new to, which became an avenue of drawing inspiration from with horn arrangements. He also instilled in me my love for watching theatrical productions as he has written and directed some phenomenal tear-jerking plays. For them to be delivered at a high school level, you would think they were professionally made for Broadway. They’re fresh, inspirational, and evoke strong emotions that hit the viewers.”

Octavio N. Santos
Musician/Trumpeter/Horn Arranger

“Seamus has a remarkable ability to ignite a sense of purpose and self-confidence in those around him. As my high school drama teacher, he focused on ensuring that every student felt valued and recognized their own potential. He didn’t just teach us about performing on stage, he taught us life lessons about resilience, self-expression, and the importance of finding our voice. Seamus was always there to offer advice, whether it was about school, family, or relationships, and his guidance extended far beyond the classroom. His impact is so profound that many of his former students, myself included, still come back to visit him. That’s a testament to the incredible influence he’s had on our lives. His passion for gratitude and connection continues to inspire me to reflect on and celebrate the people and moments I value most.”

Jamie-Lynn Giove
Communication Specialist at Loblaw Limited Company

“When I think of Mr. Kelleher, I think of how he inspired me to be the best version of myself. I think of how we met when I was a young, immature 9th grader and no matter the situation he was always patient and more than generous with his time. I saw a man that no matter the situation would always keep a cool and calm head. Spending time with Mr. Kelleher I saw a level of care for all students on a deep level and he went above and beyond not expecting anything in return. Unconditional love.”

Natey Adjei
Retired CFL Player

“In high school, Seamus became a great mentor and source of inspiration. With his unwavering belief in my potential, he taught me the invaluable lesson of taking chances and believing in myself. Through sport, he emphasized dedication and building a strong work ethic, transforming my approach to challenges such as playing football or becoming an educator. By encouraging me to buy into the process and persist through setbacks, Seamus showed me that success isn’t just about talent, but about the relentless pursuit of excellence. His guidance instilled in me the confidence to push my limits and embrace every opportunity that came my way.”

Akeem Whonder
Former CFL Player/Teacher

“Seamus guided me to a newfound confidence I didn’t know I had. I’m not just talking about in the classroom, but also in my relationships with others and myself. He taught me what really mattered in life and that was the people around you, including yourself. Surrounding yourself with positivity and purpose will guide you to happiness. I am so grateful I had Seamus as a mentor when I was young and the impact he continues to have on my life. Now, I look for leaders like Seamus to inspire me. I hope that I can make a positive impact on someone’s life like he had on mine.” 

Micala Cassano
Human Resources Consultant

“I met Seamus Kelleher during high school. I always loved learning, but drama was a passion and hobby of mine both inside and outside the classroom. It may have also been a bit of a therapeutic outlet at times too. Mr. Kelleher inspired me not only to develop solid stage presence, but to take risks, (like singing when I was far too shy to ever consider such a thing) and to write my own, unique scripts. He provided excellent leadership, encouragement and support. He taught me about trusting my intuition, to pursue meaningful goals and to not be afraid to be authentically myself.”

Jennifer Nunes
Registered Social Worker/Author