Teacher Breaks Guinness World Record After Teaching at the Same Tennessee School for More Than 60 Years

A Tennessee teacher made history when she set down her chalk and retired after more than six decades in the classroom.

Glenda Akin broke the Guinness World Record for “longest teacher in the same school (female) on Sept. 13, 2024, according to the record-keeping organization. She taught at Westmoreland High School in Westmoreland for 61 years and 43 days before retiring.

Akin began her tenure at the Sumner County school in 1963 and worked as a social studies and library teacher, according to the Guinness World Records.

Westmoreland High School celebrated her achievement in a Facebook post on Dec. 19, sharing photos of Akin being honored at the school while holding her official certificate.

“Historic Achievement at Westmoreland High School!” the school wrote. “We are incredibly proud to announce that Ms. Glenda Akin has officially been awarded a Guinness World Record for the Longest Career as a Female Teacher in the Same School!”

“With an extraordinary 61 years and 43 days of dedicated service at Westmoreland High School, Ms. Akin’s lifelong commitment to education has shaped generations of students and left an unforgettable legacy in our school and community,” the school continued, adding, “Please join us in congratulating Ms. Glenda Akin on this historic and well-deserved honor!”

While Akin will no longer be walking the hallways during the school day, her legacy will live on in a special way.

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As seen in the photos shared by Westmoreland, the high school dedicated its library to Akin, renaming it the Glenda Akin Library. A plaque adorned with her photo reads, “Her six decades of service to our school and community will remain forever cherished in the lives of her coworkers and students.”