Godric Latimer-Kim Receives Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence

Imagination is a life skill and one of several character traits that Godric Latimer-Kim nurtures in the “brave learning space” of her drama studio. “Building confidence in one's ability to collaborate, problem solve, communicate, and listen to others compassionately are fundamental to being a fully functioning human in our complex world,” she says. Ms. Latimer-Kim, who is Subject Head, The Arts (Grade 7-12), was recently recognized with a National Certificate of Excellence, the highest recognition bestowed by the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching.

For 20 years, Ms. L-K has inspired her drama students to draw upon their own experiences and the stories of others to interpret the world around them. She values grit, determination, perseverance, and an open-minded perspective to embrace new and unexpected circumstances. Her students take on these characteristics and apply them far beyond their time at Crescent School.

“To this day, my central ethos as an aspiring doctor is to combine the skills I acquired in drama to patient care,” wrote former Head Boy Naveen Gupta ‘15 in his letter of support for Ms. L-K’s nomination. “I implement empathy, communication, and humanity skills—skills developed in her class—every day."

Ms. L-K’s innovative teaching practice emphasizes transformation and immersion versus memorization and self-direction versus conformity. “She knows that the power of drama as a tool cannot be force-fed; it has to come from the participant organically,” wrote former student Christian Metivier ‘17, who also supported her nomination. 

Ms. Latimer-Kim is the fifth Crescent educator to receive a Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching since 2014. Retired Lower School French teacher Sylvia Duckworth received a Certificate of Excellence in 2014. Assistant Head of Middle School Natalie Vera, retired teacher Michael Jansen, and retired Dean of Studies David Grant were honoured with Certificates of Achievements in 2020, 2018, and 2015, respectively.