90-Year-Old Teacher Sets World Record After 67 Years

After 67 years of teaching at Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hannett-Price received more than just a plaque at Monday's assembly. She earned a Guinness World Record and a standing ovation from the thousands of students whose lives she's touched.

The 90-year-old language teacher became the world's longest-serving female language teacher, based on verified, uninterrupted years of classroom instruction. Her journey began in 1958 after graduating from Albion College with a master's degree in English.

Among the crowd celebrating her achievement was Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance, who credits Hannett-Price with changing his life. When Vance's father died by suicide, his teacher came and sat with his grieving mother in their home.

"That's when I realized this is more than just a student-teacher relationship. This is a life relationship," Vance said. "She's internally excited about life and everyone she meets. Every day for her is a wonderful day and she reminds us all that life is a gift."

Hannett-Price's former students include comedian Robin Williams and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Many sent video messages to Monday's assembly, frequently crediting her rigorous standards and belief in students as formative influences on their success.

The teacher broke barriers throughout her career as Detroit Country Day's first female Upper School teacher, first female department chair, and first female Dean. Yet she still shows up to student performances, dances, and athletic games.

Her favorite part? The face-to-face contact with kids. "I listen to their stories. I listen to their worries. I listen to their joys," she said.

Sunny's Take

Even Hannett-Price's granddaughter Charlotte, a sophomore at the school, sees the magic her grandmother brings. Students stop Charlotte in the hallways just to tell her they said hi to her grandma. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the teacher kept assigning and grading essays, refusing to let a virus stop her students from learning.

When asked about retirement, Hannett-Price was clear: "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."

Sixty-seven years later, she still means it.