The Dunham School is pleased to announce that Tiffinie Normand Burychka is the 2021 recipient of The Liz Peters Master Teacher Award, presented during the Commencement ceremony held May 22, 2021 at Healing Place Church.

The Liz Peters Master Teacher Award is named for the late Mrs. Liz Peters, a master teacher herself, and the school’s first employee. This award recognizes outstanding teaching at The Dunham School, with the intent to inspire excellence in the classroom and ensure the employment and retention of Master Teachers, in order to form a nucleus of strong teaching faculty for the school’s future.

“Receiving the Liz Peters Master Teacher Award is such a high honor. It is so humbling to be selected for this prestigious award. It is a beautiful reminder of not only the amazing teachers that have received this award before me, but also our Heavenly Master who is the ultimate teacher,” Burychka said. “Over half of my life I have been an educator at Dunham. The families, faculty, and staff throughout these past twenty-three years hold a very special place in my heart. I am so thankful for the Peters family and their continued support and love for The Dunham School.”

Joining Head of School Steve Eagleton and Burychka on the stage for the award presentation were Peters' grandson John Patrick Dowling ‘21, daughter Patti Peters Dowling ‘92, and Bill Peters.

“(Burychka) is an expert teacher who sees the good in every child and in every situation. When there is a child who has challenges, whether academically or socially and emotionally, I know I can count on her to meet the needs of the child in a way that will have the most positive outcome,” said  Lower School Principal & Dean of Faculty Deedra LaPlace. “She has earned the trust and admiration of students, parents and colleagues in fulfilling the mission of The Dunham School.”

Burychka has faithfully served the school for 23 years as a Lower School Lead Teacher, mentoring numerous new teachers. In addition, she has served the school as Director of the Faculty Nursery and Upper School Cheerleader sponsor, and  recently completed her Master’s degree from LSU.  

Congratulations to Tiffinie Burychka for this well-deserved recognition.