Yeyu Ying, an 80-year-old Chinese woman, has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records for holding the title of the longest career as a female language teacher, spanning an incredible 64 years and 33 days.
Ying began her teaching career at the age of 17 at a rural elementary school in Zhejiang, China.
Born into a poor family in Ruian, Zhejiang Province, Ying chose to become a teacher to support her family, marking the start of her extraordinary journey.
After retiring in February 1999 at the age of 55, she founded Yuying Elementary School, where she continues to teach six Chinese language classes each week. Her commitment to lifelong learning is evident as she constantly updates her teaching methods and resources.
Reflecting on her passion for teaching, 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 harboured a secret desire to challenge the record but never dared to speak it out loud for fear of being laughed at.”
Earlier this year, Ying’s daughter encouraged her to pursue the Guinness World Record, leading to their successful application. Ying expressed immense joy and gratitude for the recognition, which she sees as a testament to her lifelong dedication.
“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 honour for what seemed like an ordinary career fills me with gratitude,” she added.
Ying’s career has been marked by resilience and determination. At 17, she faced challenges from mischievous students. After her initial retirement, she founded a school and relocated it three times in four years. Her dedication extended to walking long distances to school and preparing lessons by hand, often spending six hours per class.
As a principal, Ying would rise at 5 am to be at school by 7:30 am, monitoring teachers and students before beginning her teaching duties. When teachers were away, she would step in to save on school expenses. Even in her spare moments, she prepared lessons meticulously, often rewriting pages until satisfied with her calligraphy.
Remarkably, Ying still has new goals at 80. She plans to open a nursing home to support the elderly, saying, “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 is currently conducting social research for this new project, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to helping others.
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