Physical Education · Drama · Boarding
Ivan
Nikolic
A teacher, coach and senior play director working across the classroom, the court, the stage and residential school life.
Grades 8–12
in Carnival Games
directed
officiated per season
The work
Four parts of school life.
One connected practice.
Physical Education
Teaches Physical and Health Education across Grades 8 to 12, adapting a consistent weekly programme for students with complex behavioural, social and learning needs.
Drama & Direction
Teaches Drama at Whytecliff. Previously taught Grade 9 Drama at Brentwood and directed two senior productions from casting to a three-night run, including adaptation, staging, visual design and CAD 3,000 budgets.
Coaching & Officiating
Basketball and volleyball coach. Across two seasons, helped take Brentwood’s B volleyball team to a league title and promotion to the A division, and the JV basketball team to provincials. NOCP Level 1 official.
Boarding & Mentorship
Boarding faculty, dorm parent and student advisor. Mentors 30 students weekly and works with counsellors, youth workers and teachers on personalised learning plans.
51/56
Selected project
Carnival Games
Ivan rebuilt Whytecliff’s PE programme and created a stadium sports day combining track events with adapted and team-based formats. Fifty-one students took part. The woodworking class made the batons; computer science students 3D-printed the trophies.
A note on teaching
“My PE and Drama lessons naturally involve noise, movement, changing instructions and the pressure of being watched. The neurodiversity course gave me better ways to respond: adjusting how I phrase instructions, recognising overload before a student’s response is seen as bad behaviour, and paying closer attention to whether the room is helping them or working against them.”
Ivan Nikolic · Neurodiversity Coach Certification, 2026
Experience
Across classrooms,
campuses and teams.
Whytecliff Agile Learning Centre
Physical & Health Education Teacher / Drama Teacher / Youth Development Worker
Leads PHE for 56 students in Grades 8–12 and teaches Drama. Leads 12 outdoor education and wellness sessions per term and weekly one-to-one mentorship for 30 students. Runs student volunteering at a local seniors’ home and Fort Langley National Historic Site, including blacksmithing and woodworking placements, alongside school-based service projects.
Brentwood College School
Drama Teacher / Senior Play Director / Boarding Faculty / Student Advisor
Taught Grade 9 Drama, directed two senior productions, coached volleyball and basketball, and served in Rogers House, a 64-student boarding house. Founded and ran the Chess Club, building it to 10 regular members. Assisted in PE classes and covered lessons across year groups and subjects, including learning support for students with learning differences.
Brookes Westshore School
Activity Coordinator / Dorm Parent / Basketball Coach
Head coach of senior girls’ basketball, assistant boys’ coach and leader of 12 outdoor education trips, intramurals and community service. Set up a student wellness programme covering mindfulness, yoga and nutrition.
TRU Campus Living & Bball 4All Academy
Residence Life Coordinator / Assistant Basketball Coach
Supported university residents, trained Resident Assistants and developed individual training plans for academy athletes.
On stage
Senior play direction
William Shakespeare,
reworked with students
Much Ado
About Social
Media
2025 · Cast of 10 · Three-night runBy Jeffrey Hatcher
Ms. Holmes
& Ms. Watson:
Apt. 2B
2024 · Steampunk staging · Cast of 10 · Three-night runEducation & credentials
Qualified to teach.
Prepared for school life.
Teaching
PGCE, University of Sunderland, 2025
British Columbia Independent School Teaching Certificate, Fine Arts (Drama), Fitness and Conditioning, Physical Education. Valid to June 2028.
Education
Acting for Film and Television, Niagara College
BRLS (Honours), Community Recreation, Minor in Dramatic Arts, Brock University
TASIS The American School in England
Safeguarding & wellbeing
Trauma-Informed Safe and Caring School Communities
ASIST · Mental Health First Aid · Mental Health Literacy · Neurodiversity Coach Certification
Level 1 Motivational Interviewing Training, Kelly Tabor Training and Consulting
Emergency First Aid with CPR C/AED, valid to August 2028
Additional
NOCP Level 1 Basketball Official
Class 4 Unrestricted Commercial Driver’s Licence
Serbian, native · English, fluent