A Michigan teacher — whose former students include Robin Williams, Courtney B. Vance, and Los Angeles Clippers owner and ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer — earned a Guinness World Record for nearly 70 years in the classroom.
Beverly Hannett-Price of Detroit Country Day School has taught for 67 years, and was recently honored with the title of longest-serving female language teacher.
“This historic recognition honors not only the length of Mrs. Hannett-Price’s career, but the depth of her influence on students whose achievements span the worlds of entertainment, business, and the arts,” school officials said in a statement.
The 90-year-old English teacher has touched the lives of thousands of students, and was even in attendance when award-winning actor Vance received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December.
The Tony and Emmy Award winner even attended the Detroit school’s assembly Feb. 2 that marked the nonagenarian’s incredible feat, and praised his former teacher’s influence in his life.
“She’s had a lot of students and she kept in touch with me. She knew I didn’t know things coming from public school, inner city … she befriended me. So much so, when my father died of suicide, she came and sat with my mother in our house. And that’s when I realized this is more than just a student-teacher relationship. This is a life relationship,” Vance told The Detroit News.
“Life is short. You find a few people to take you through the days, it’s a blessing. She is an absolute blessing to my family and I am to theirs. She’s internally excited about life and everyone she meets … Everyday for her is a wonderful day and she reminds us all that life is a gift.”
The record book confirmed Hannett-Price — who has a Master’s degree in English and began her career upon graduating from Albion College in 1958 — never stopped teaching in those 67 years, and taught at schools in Alabama and Florida.
“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 told the outlet.
She also has no plans of retiring anytime soon.
“I love this school. This opportunity for an education, I love,” she continued.
“I’m … not thinking of retiring.”