By Joseph Myers • Posted May 29, 2026

Teachers are used to waiting years, if ever, to see the fruits of their labors since it may take time for lessons to take root in students.

The Philadelphia Phillies took time as the academic year winds down to recognize 10 local teachers for their hard work and commitment at the team’s 26th annual Teacher Appreciation Night on May 8.

Three Catholic elementary-school teachers in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia — Theresa Polizzi of St. Pio Regional Catholic School in South Philadelphia; Megen Demeter of Holy Rosary Regional Catholic School in Plymouth Meeting; and Irene Moll of St. Pius X School in Broomall — scored honors from the team for driving home lessons for their students.

“Everyone who walks into my classroom is someone I want to help to make a productive member of society,” said Polizzi, a Catholic school teacher of 46 years. “What’s part of that is helping students to find the importance of their relationship with God and its possibilities.”

The South Philly-born-and-raised educator garnered her nomination for the honor through a student who singled out the “calmness and love” that the youngster and her peers receive. Crediting those gifts to her teacher’s devotion to the Blessed Mother, the eighth grader added that Polizzi “loves and respects each and every person in our entire school community just like Mary would.”

“She knows me well,” said Polizzi, who also claimed distinction in 2020 when she was inducted into the archdiocesan Advisory Council Hall of Fame for Philadelphia County. “I love my religion and I just can’t imagine not being able to use my faith as a part of my job.”

Demeter, a third-grade instructor, has lovingly taught for 13 years in Catholic schools. She shared Polizzi’s view that a teacher’s faith hones one’s pedagogical approach.

Cherishing the “profound beauty” that she finds in having the freedom to praise God, Jesus Christ, and the saints in the classroom, she has become increasingly enamored with her calling. No matter the severity of the emotional, academic, and spiritual needs that she has noticed in today’s youths, she knows that her work in Catholic education will continue to foster her compassion.

“In a changing world, Catholic education has remained steadfast; it has not lost its foundation,” Demeter said. “Having that grounded foundation allows us to provide the stable direction, perseverance, and guidance that families need now more than ever.”

Demeter was nominated by a fellow teacher at Holy Rosary Regional for her pairing of lessons in reading and math with those in kindness, resilience, and the need for a sense of humor in the face of challenges.

“My only goal each day is to create a safe, joyful space for my third graders, where mistakes are welcomed, effort matters, and every single child feels completely seen,” Demeter said.

Moll’s students at her Broomall Catholic school have had three years to laugh and learn with her, most recently a teacher of first graders. Blessed to give such young believers insights into God’s plan for their lives, the 26-year teaching veteran derives the most joy from helping her pupils to grow in confidence, compassion, and character.

“I hope they leave my classroom knowing they are loved, that kindness matters, (and grow) with a heart full of hope and faith like a mustard seed,” Moll said.

Her nominator for the Phillies’ honor dubbed the Moll, whose 23 other years as a teacher came in Catholic elementary schools,  “the kind of quiet hero that changes lives.” This assessment stemmed from the help that Moll provided a boy in recovering from an injury.

“Being called a hero is an incredible honor, but being recognized as a quiet hero resonates with many teachers,” she said. “We dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly, not for recognition, but to truly make a difference in the lives of the students we come to love.”

Moll, Polizzi, and Demeter reveled in enjoying a game at Citizens Bank Park as special honorees. Polizzi even received a kiss from the Phillie Phanatic as she danced with him in the seventh inning, finding the whole matter uproarious.

For Moll, the night provided proof that  “even the quiet work we do each day can have a lasting impact far beyond the classroom. It reminded me of St. Teresa of Calcutta, who said, ‘We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.’”

“More than anything,” said Demeter, “it served as a beautiful, humbling reminder of the ‘yes’ that I gave to Catholic education so many years ago. To look out and see so much happiness, love, and unity in one place made me deeply grateful for this calling.”

As the  teachers prepare to take a well-earned summer break, their students will not be far from their minds. Polizzi, the longest tenured of the trio, considers her students a major motivator as she continues to expand her faith and commitment to education.

“It’s pretty simple,” she said. “When you work with children, you’re never old.”