80-year-old Yeyu Ying from China has been recognized by Guinness World Records for having the longest career as a female language teacher, spanning an incredible 64 years and 33 days.
Yeyu Ying began her teaching journey at just 17 years old in a rural elementary school in Zhejiang, China. Born into a poor family in Ruian, Zhejiang Province, she chose to become a teacher to support her family. This decision marked the start of a remarkable career that has now gained international recognition.
After initially retiring in February 1999 at the age of 55, Yeyu Ying founded Yuying Elementary School, where she has continued to teach to this day. She currently conducts six Chinese language classes each week, continually updating her teaching methods and resources.
Reflecting on her journey, Yeyu Ying said, “I remember seeing record challenges on TV long ago and thinking about my own passion for teaching. I always believed my lesson plans were the most meticulous in the world. Maybe I harbored a secret desire to challenge the record but never dared to speak it out loud for fear of being laughed at.”
Earlier this year, inspired by watching Guinness World Records challenge clips with her daughter, she decided to apply for the record. To her surprise and delight, she succeeded. “This recognition is a testament to my lifelong passion. Coming from a rural village in southern China, establishing a school in Lishui in the 1990s, and receiving such an honor for what seemed like an ordinary career fills me with gratitude,” she added.
Throughout her career, Yeyu Ying faced numerous challenges. She persevered through mischievous students at the beginning of her career, and after retiring, she founded a school, moving locations three times in four years. Despite the physical demands of walking to school, she remained dedicated to her role.
As a principal, Yeyu Ying would rise at 5 am to monitor teachers and students, stepping in to teach when needed to save on expenses. “In any spare moment, I was preparing lessons. Unlike today, we didn’t have convenient electronic devices. Every lesson was meticulously handwritten with a calligraphy brush, taking six hours to prepare each class. If I wasn’t satisfied with my handwriting, I would tear up the pages and start over,” she recalled.
Looking to the future, Yeyu Ying has new aspirations. She plans to open a nursing home to provide comfort for the elderly. “I plan to open a nursing home next, dedicating my remaining life to society and helping the elderly live their final years with joy,” she said, noting she is currently conducting social research for this new project.
