Beverly Hannett-Price

As if lifted from a “My Most Unforgettable Character” series, Detroit Country Day School teacher Beverly Hannett-Price is just that to students she has had the honor of teaching at the school for the last 33 years.

The passionate English teacher has been a groundbreaker and left an indelible mark on both her students and the educational community since beginning her teaching profession in Albion, Michigan, nearly 68 years ago.

Her lifelong achievements that broke the glass ceiling for women include: first female teacher in Detroit Country Day Upper School; first female Detroit Country Day Upper School Department Chair; and first female dean at Detroit Country Day School. Now the energetic 90-year-old has made history again. At a surprise ceremony in the school’s Performing Arts Center recently, Hannett-Price was presented with the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a language teacher (female).

“I’ve not only taught consecutively but I’ve only missed five days since I began in 1958,” added the still-spry educator. “I’ve had a lot of surprises in my long life but getting this award was one of the biggest.”

The tale of her career has gone global with major news outlets like People magazine, Associated Press, New York Post, television media and more, calling to talk with her about her storied life. Feeling a bit like a celebrity is nice but Hannett-Price would rather be known, as a colleague put it, “not only the length of her career but the depth of her influence.”

“I try to connect with every student I come in contact with and feel my job is to find a way to help make them be excited to learn and explore and grow into all they can be – and to encourage wherever they show a real passion,” she said.

Some notable student connections that have lasted through the decades include former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and Tony and Emmy Award winning actor and producer Courtney B. Vance, who flew in from Los Angeles to surprise her at the Guinness World Record ceremony. “She taught me to write and put thoughts together and I’ve stayed in touch with her because of that,” he was quoted as saying.

“We’ve been there for each other,” said the dedicated Hannett-Price. “I flew out to California last year when he was getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame because I wanted to be there to support and celebrate with him.”

The late actor Robin Williams was a student at Detroit Country Day while Hannett-Price was teaching and her husband, also an educator there, had him in class. Williams crossed paths with the beloved English teacher and according to local lore, her impact helped create his Mrs. Doubtfire character with some of her nuances.

As a mother of two daughters who are also in education and a grandmother, Hannett-Price says she has no plans to retire anytime soon. When asked what legacy she feels she will leave the thousands of students she has impacted in her lifetime, the inspirational nonagenarian reflects on a favorite – Living Words Project – a creative initiative that blends language and art.

“I also tried to instill a love of the English language, requiring them to learn twenty new vocabulary words a week, something that will better them for the rest of their lives,” she said. “Finally, I hope they all take my philosophy that I tell all students on the first and last days of school, 'Be the best version of yourself you can possibly be. There’s only one of you. Stay curious, be open and accepting and a positive force that the world needs so much today.'”

Story: Susan Peck

Photo: Laurie Tennent