90-Year-Old Teacher Breaks Record With 67 Years in Classroom

When Beverly Hannett-Price walked into what she thought was a normal school assembly on Monday, she had no idea she was about to become a world record holder. The 90-year-old English teacher at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, Michigan, just earned official recognition from Guinness World Records for spending more than 67 consecutive years in the classroom.

"Surprise. Ha-ha, I am floored," Hannett-Price said as students and colleagues revealed the honor during the celebration. For her, the achievement isn't about the record but about doing what she loves most: teaching.

Hannett-Price started her career in 1958, and nearly seven decades later, she still brings the same energy to her students. "I have no plans for retirement. I love this school. I love teaching," she told reporters.

Her impact reaches far beyond grammar lessons and writing assignments. Thousands of former students credit her with shaping their lives, including award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance, who flew in from Los Angeles specifically to celebrate his beloved teacher.

"She really taught me how to write and to put wonderful thoughts together, and because of that, we've stayed in touch," Vance said. Their relationship shows how Hannett-Price doesn't just teach students for a semester but creates connections that last a lifetime.

The Ripple Effect

Hannett-Price's influence extends through generations in ways that surprise even her own family. Her granddaughter Charlotte Cook says they can't go anywhere without meeting someone whose life she touched.

"Every time we go out, we meet someone that she has impacted, and it's almost inspired me to become someone that can make that much of an impact everywhere you go," Cook said. Her daughter Penny Hannett-Floyd adds that everyone at the school loves and appreciates the lessons she teaches, both academic and personal.

Richard Dempsey, the school's head, believes her legacy will continue growing. "The impact she's had will continue to last for another 67 years," he said.

The secret to her longevity in teaching? Hannett-Price says it's the energy she gets from working with young people. "I love the life of the energy the youth have," she explained.

Her advice to students reflects the wisdom she's gathered across nearly seven decades: "You be the best version of yourself you can possibly be because there will never be another you." She also encourages everyone to stay open-minded about meeting new people and embracing possibilities.

At 90, Beverly Hannett-Price proves that passion for your work doesn't have an expiration date, and the best teachers never stop making a difference.