Dunham News | The Dunham School, Baton Rouge, LA

Lori Latuso Named 2024 Liz Peters Master Teacher

The Dunham School is pleased to announce that Lori Latuso is the recipient of the 2024 Liz Peters Master Teacher Award. This prestigious 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 to form a nucleus of strong teaching faculty for the school’s future.

The award was presented to Mrs. Latuso during commencement exercises on May 18, by Head of School Steve Eagleton; Dean of Faculty Deedra LaPlace; Bill Peters; Patti Peters Dowling ’92; and Ellie Dowling ’26.

“Through the years, Lori has spent countless hours mentoring new teachers and leading her second-grade team with strength and grace,” said Mrs. LaPlace. “She continually demonstrates creativity and innovation in her lessons and has been a true role model for her fellow faculty as a lifelong learner and first adopter when it comes to technology integration and new pedagogical approaches.” 

During her 14-year tenure Dunham, Mrs. Latuso has served the school faithfully as a Lower School lead teacher, worship leader for chapel, and advance team member for biblical worldview integration. Her enthusiasm and willingness to go above and beyond in any situation is exemplary and is a testament to her walk with Christ as a servant leader. Her authenticity and love for the Lord is on display every day as she reflects Jesus in carrying out the mission of The Dunham School.

“Humbled, honored, and thankful are just a few words to describe my feelings at being chosen as this year’s Master Teacher for The Dunham School,” Mrs. Latuso said. “Each new school year, I ask myself how I can best serve my students, my families, and my school. Whether it’s through new and innovative ways to teach, or the tried-and-true foundational methods, I always aim to keep learning exciting and fun. There is nothing like that moment when you see a student ‘get it’!”

“However, even more than those classroom practices, my thoughts go to our true Master Teacher, Jesus Christ. Each day, it is so important to me to bring the love of Christ into what we teach and for students to see the beauty in all that He has created for us to learn about,” Mrs. Latuso continued. “I am excited to continue to walk in this calling of being a teacher, and my hope is that as my students continue to grow, they will always look back on their time with me and see how much their hearts and minds grew academically and in Christ.”

The Liz Peters Master Teacher Endowment was established in 2008 to provide supplemental income for teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and further the school’s efforts to attract and retain outstanding teachers. The endowment is named for the late Liz Peters who was one the first teachers hired at The Dunham School and truly exemplified the qualities of a master teacher.