90-Year-Old Teacher Sets Guinness Record for Longest Career at 67 Years

Beverly Hannett-Price earned recognition from Guinness World Records as the longest-serving female language teacher after 67 years in the classroom. The 90-year-old received this honor during an assembly Monday at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, Michigan.

Students, staff, and alumni gathered. They came to celebrate. Among those who attended was Courtney B. Vance, a Tony- and Emmy Award-winning actor who learned from Hannett-Price decades ago.

"She befriended me, so much so that when my father died by suicide, she came and sat with my mother at our house. That's when I realized this is more than just a student-teacher relationship; this is a life relationship," said Vance, according to ClickOnDetroit.

Hannett-Price began teaching in 1958 after graduating from Albion College with a master's degree in English. Her work has taken her through multiple institutions, including Parma School District, Albion School District, Birmingham Public Schools, and St. Edward's School in Vero Beach, Florida.

Thousands of students learned from her during these years. Robin Williams, the late actor and comedian, sat in her classroom. So did Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO and current Los Angeles Clippers owner.

She became the first female Upper School teacher at Detroit Country Day School. Then she was the first female department chair. Then, the first female Dean. Several alumni nominated her for the Guinness World Record.

"In life, be the best version of yourself you can possibly be because there will never be a better you," Hannett-Price said to Click On Detroit when asked about lessons she instills in students.

Hannett-Price continues to teach with no plans to retire. "I have never left this building or any school building that I taught in ever wanting to do anything else with my life but to teach children," she said, per The Detroit News.

Her granddaughter Charlotte Cook attends Detroit Country Day School as a sophomore. Cook said her grandmother assigned essays and graded them even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"All my friends, they always talk to me about her. They always come up to me in the hallways and say how they said 'hi' to my grandma and said that 'I'm friends with Charlotte,'" Cook said, as shared by The Detroit News.

The school gave Hannett-Price a plaque, flowers, and a portrait during Monday's ceremony. Vance sat alongside her as colleagues shared memories and gave standing ovations.