Inspiring language teacher breaks record with unparalleled 64-year career
At 80 years old, Yeyu Ying, a Chinese language teacher, has a life story that reads like a legend.
She's been officially recognized for the Guinness World Records title of longest career as a language teacher (female), which she rightfully deserves after an incredible 64 years and 33 days of teaching.
Yeyu Ying began her teaching career at the tender age of 17 in a rural elementary school in Zhejiang, China. Born into a poor family in Ruian, Zhejiang Province, she chose to become a teacher to help support her family. This initial choice marked the beginning of a remarkable journey.
After initially retiring in February 1999 at the age of 55, she founded Yuying Elementary School, where she continues to teach to this day. Currently, she still teaches six Chinese language classes each week. Her dedication embodies the spirit of lifelong learning, constantly updating her teaching methods and resources, even as she grows older.
"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," Yeyu Ying recalls.
"Earlier this year, while chatting with my daughter, we watched some Guinness World Records challenge clips again. I decided to discuss applying with my colleagues, and to my surprise, we succeeded!"
Reflecting on her achievement, Yeyu Ying couldn't hide her joy. "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."
Yeyu Ying has always faced life's challenges with courage, never thinking of giving up. At 17, she was tested by mischievous students. After retiring, she faced the challenge of founding a school on her own, moving locations three times in four years. Over her decades-long teaching career, even walking to school became a strenuous task at times.
As a principal, Yeyu Ying would rise at 5 a.m. and be at school by 7:30 a.m. to monitor teachers and students before starting her teaching duties. When teachers were away for meetings or training, she would step in to save on school expenses.
She recalls: "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."
Chai Yuanzhi, who helped Yeyu Ying with her application, remarked: "She is the most responsible and determined person I've ever met. With clear goals and ideals, she always perseveres."
Yeyu Ying's daughter, Ye Zi, vividly remembers her mother carrying her as a three-year-old to teach in a mountain village school, where students from five grades were taught in a single room. "My mother devoted her entire life to education, never leaving the classroom," she said. "After retiring, she established Yuying Elementary School to continue teaching."
Remarkably, at 80, Yeyu Ying still has new goals. "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.
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