Is he on the field? In the office? Greeting students? Ivy Academia’s new interim principal, Dmitri Nosovitskiy can be found all around our lovely campus at our tuition-free Woodland Hills TK-8 school. Find out more about this teacher turned administrator…if you can keep up! 

Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at Ivy Academia.

I was born in Ukraine, and came to the United States in the early 1990’s. I graduated from Cal State Los Angeles in 1999 with a degree in Kinesiology. While teaching Physical Education in Los Angeles schools I earned my Administrative Credential. I've been in education in various roles for over twenty years.I was thrilled to have been teaching PE at Ivy Academia for a few years and excited to be appointed Interim Principal this year.

What do you love about Ivy Academia?

Our school provides better support for students and wider access to instructional resources. Ivy Academia boosts student achievement by focusing on bringing out the best in each of our student's natural abilities. Our programs for TK-8 provide the optimal support for all of our students and parents.

What's the best part about your role?

The best part of being a school leader for me is to be able to have a positive impact on students and in the school culture. 

Are you involved in other activities at Ivy Academia? 

I've helped with the intramural sports program. I'm planning on expanding this program so that every student has fun participating and being a part.  We are expanding our lunch time clubs this year which will give exciting options for students. 

There are great Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activities at Ivy Academia- when have you seen this in action?

One of my colleagues taught a lesson called: "Why Am I Feeling So Angry?" She taught students how to run through a series of responses in their mind before they decide what to say or do. She was teaching students self-awareness. The students really felt empowered to expand their self-awareness and how to move past anger. 

In your opinion, what makes a great leader? 

There are so many traits that make a great school leader. In my opinion, one of the most important is that they understand the importance of building community. What I mean by that is: 1) Teachers are motivated and willing to try new strategies because they trust leaders to support them. 2) Students are motivated and connected to the school because they trust their teachers. 3) Families are supportive because the principal and teachers have built trusting relationships with them.

Please share a few fun facts about you!

1) I'm multilingual (I speak Russian and Ukrainian as well). 

2) I played soccer professionally in Ukraine. 

3) I have two cats and a dog. 

4) I love watching detective and war movies.

It’s not too late- join Principal Nosovitskiy and our entire Ivy Academia Puma family and enroll today! 

About Ivy Academia