On January 12th, Agnes Akarelia turned 102. It’s a big number for anyone, but Agnes, America’s oldest teacher, is still teaching and doesn’t have plans to stop any time soon.
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Agnes, born in 1914, is known as “Granny” to both staff and students at Sundance School in New Jersey, US.
“I’m just a natural granny,” says Agnes, “I know that they love me.”
Agnes’ daughter, who also works at the school, drives her mom to work every day as Agnes quit driving when she was a spritely 74-year-old.
Agnes has been teaching kids to cook and sew for over 20 years, as well as making aprons for her students and crafting costumes for school plays.
Headteacher W.J. O’Reilly describes Agnes as “a beam of light” saying, “This gentle light and strength emanates from her at all times.”
“Every day she’s very, very positive, very motivated. She’s always very much focused on the happiness of the children.”
Married in 1938, Agnes was a housewife for many years until her daughter suggested she work in the school cafeteria. She was offered a job as a home economics teacher in the 1990s.
She’s amazed at the technology the students have, saying, “When I was a young girl… we didn’t even have an inside toilet, we had gas lights and candles!”
Agnes’ advice for anyone hoping to live to 102 is: “Just be happy with what you’re doing. My favorite part of teaching here is taking care of the children. This is happiness for me.”
