Agnes “Granny” Zelesnik blows out the candles with the help of some young students, / Provided
America’s oldest teacher may go by“Granny,” but AgnesZhelesnik isn’t too old to blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Zhelesnik, who teaches home economics to students at North Plainfield, New Jersey’sSundance School celebrated the big one-oh-oh at the school with performances by former students (like the school’s Broadway star alumni, LucasSchultz) and a special surprise message from the big guy himself — President Barack Obama.
The centenarian has been teaching the arts of sewing and cooking to students since long before the hipsters decided to bring it all back, and started at the school when she was a spry youngster — at age 81. Looking sharp in a pink cable-knit sweater with maroon sweater tied around her shoulders, “Granny” doesn’t need to worry about her legacy once she decides to retire. Her daughter, also named Agnes, has been a teacher at the school for 32 years.
Scroll down for photos of the happy celebration, where her youthful spirit clearly shows.
