Faculty of Education supporter and former teacher Dražen Ivanišević.
Supporting the next generation
From a very young age, Dražen Ivanišević liked being in school.
“It was kind of inexplainable why I liked being in school. I had a wonderful home life, but I had gravitated toward teachers instead of other students,” he said.
Despite his affinity for school, Ivanišević, who goes simply by Dee, initially set out to become a historian.
“When I finished high school, I entered into a social science degree… toward the end of my undergraduate study, I realized I actually wanted to be a teacher,” Dee added.
By the time he completed his teacher education, jobs were scarce in Ontario, and Dee had to look on the other side of the world for work, eventually launching a teaching career in South Korea
“It was fantastic,” Dee said.
“I didn’t realize that I was going to stay almost five years in South Korea, and then in Germany for almost nine.”
By 2020, Dee was well into his international teaching career and had even learned to speak German, but wanted to return to Canada and pursue other work.
His father was also gearing up for retirement, leaving Dee with a chance to take over the family business, London Executive Sedan Service (LESS), an award-winning chauffeur and car service.
Dee seized the opportunity and has been leading the company ever since.
Keeping the classroom on his mind
While he’s been out of teaching for a few years now, the classroom always stays on Dee’s mind.
Soon after he took over as the owner and operator of LESS, Dee began researching how he could give back to the teaching profession.
As Dee brainstormed over his options, he reflected on his own experience and thought about how he could’ve supported his past self.
“I can remember being a student and I can remember it got so dire that I paid one credit card with another. Tuition, books, car insurance, life expenses, it was pretty bad,” Dee said.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t realize at the time what grants or scholarships were available. That got me to thinking — why would I not, in the name of my company, allow myself to help someone who could use that benefit?”
After several conversations with various clients, colleagues and friends, Dee was then put in contact with the Faculty of Education’s Director of Community Engagement and Development, Rosie Triebner.
The London Executive Sedan Service Award in Education was established shortly after.
Dražen Ivanišević is joined by Education Dean Donna Kotsopoulos (left) and Director of Community Engagement & Development Rosie Triebner during the 2024 Teacher Appreciation Football Game sponsored by LESS.
Supporting the next generation
Dee’s award is presented annually to teacher candidates in the Faculty of Education based on academic achievement, with preference given to students who show exemplary teaching skills during their practicum.
The goal is to honour a student teacher about to embark on their teaching career.
For Dee, the award is a fulfilling endeavour that allows him to stay close to a profession that he holds dear.
“I was always close to education, I still am and want to be,” Dee said.
“As for education as a whole, I think that it is a constantly moving subject and I don’t want it to be stuck in antiquity. I think it’s great that Western is investing time, effort and money, and expanding on its horizons.”
Dražen Ivanišević speaks to students during the Faculty of Education’s 2024 Homecoming networking event, Mind-Mingle.
Since the award’s creation, Dee has attended various Faculty of Education events and makes time to chat with teacher candidates when possible.
With so much education experience under his belt, teacher candidates often look to Dee for advice, and he usually responds by drawing lessons from his own life story.
“Had I not been in the classroom, there is no way I could do my current job. This job requires so much organization and so much outside-the-box thinking, all of which the classroom provided to me,” Dee said.
“It makes you a better employee, a better boss, and a better human… Never ever think that whatever you’re learning in the classroom cannot be utilized elsewhere.”
