Taunton High School math teacher Lisa Dermody completed the New York City Marathon on November 3, after being selected as one of only 50 teachers nationwide to win a spot through the Team TCS Teachers essay competition. Tata Consultancy Service (TCS), the marathon’s title sponsor, offers this opportunity each year to celebrate teachers and their impact on students. Dermody's essay stood out with over a thousand applicants, earning her a place at the starting line.
In her essay, she drew connections between her passion for running and her dedication to teaching math, discussing how goal-setting, perseverance, and positive self-talk help her both on the track and in the classroom. “In math, I remind my students to take it one problem at a time, the same way I tackle each mile in a marathon. I tell them how I use positive self-talk to keep going, even when things get hard. My hope is that they’ll learn perseverance and celebrate each step forward in their own learning journey.”
Dermody has deep roots in Taunton, where she grew up and graduated from Taunton High School in 2005. She began teaching at Taunton Public Schools in 2013, returned after teaching in Connecticut, and has been a math teacher at THS since 2019. A long-time runner, she started running in college to cross-train during the off-season for swimming and has since completed over 22 half-marathons. This was not her first marathon—she completed her first full marathon in Philadelphia in 2012.
The NYC Marathon experience was unforgettable for Dermody, who trained for over 550 miles leading up to the race. “Running through New York City was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. With over 55,000 runners, 2 million spectators, and perfect weather, the energy was indescribable. The crowd was amazing, cheering for us and celebrating teachers. I was proud to represent Taunton High School and share this accomplishment with such a supportive community.”
Her students were excited to learn about her journey, and the THS community shared in her pride. “We are thrilled to see Mrs. Dermody recognized for her dedication both as an educator and an athlete,” Principal John Harrison said. “Her story is a wonderful example of how hard work and resilience—qualities we value at Taunton High School—lead to great achievements.”
“She has inspired both her students and colleagues by showing that goal-setting and persistence extend beyond the classroom,” Superintendent John J. Cabral said. “We are so proud of her accomplishment and honored to have her on our team.”
Through her achievement, Dermody has shown her students the power of perseverance, inspiring the entire THS community by bridging her dedication as a teacher with her passion for running.
