Like every other teacher, Agnes Zhelesnik wakes up in the morning, goes to school, and stands in front of a classroom full of kids. The only difference is she happens to be 99 years old. This makes "Granny," as her students lovingly call her, the oldest teacher in the country.

Zhelesnik teaches children to cook and sew during her home ec class at the Sundance School in North Plainfield, New Jersey. Recently, her students threw her a birthday party to celebrate the big 99. The celebration included student performances, cake, and 99 red balloons. 

"Some people are younger than me and they stay home, but I don't have to stay home. I just get up and come here, and the children see me, they want to know what we're making today," Zhelesnik says in the CNN video. 

How does Agnes continue to teach at 99 years old? It's because of the kids, she says in the CNN interview. "My advice," she says, "be happy, I guess. Do what you have to do to take care of kids."

After spending 60 years as a homemaker, Agnes began teaching in 1995 at the age of 81. She decided to instruct at The Sundance School, where her 61-year-old daughter also teaches, because they had an opening.

There is speculation Agnes may retire next year at the age of 100, which would see her join Olivia Neubauer in the exclusive centenarian educators club. Neubauer, who passed away in November at the age of 100, had been teaching since 1964.

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Demand World-Class Standards For All U.S. Students

Demand World-Class Standards For All U.S. Students

What kids are taught in one state is different from what kids are taught in another, better preparing some students for college and the job market than their peers. Stand For Children wants all U.S. governors to commit to implement the Common Core Standards so that all high school graduates will be ready to compete in the global marketplace.

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To: 

Rick Perry, Governor of Texas

Mark Dayton, Governor of Minnesota

Sean Parnell, Governor of Alaska

Dave Heineman, Governor of Nebraska

Bob McDonnell, Governor of Virginia

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Full Petition Text

Dear Governor,

Too many of our high school students are not prepared for either college or for the jobs of the 21st century. We need clear, consistent, and high education standards that will prepare all students in our state and across the country for a 21st century economy.

I urge you to take the Governor's Pledge to support the implementation of rigorous world-class standards, such as the Common Core State Standards Initiative, and to support other policies that will fully realize these standards for every one of our school children.

Governor's Pledge on Common Core Standards: In today's world, we must adequately prepare our students for life beyond high school. Our students will be leaving our schools and competing for jobs not just with students from other states but with graduates from other countries. The best way to accelerate our state's economic recovery is to invest in today's students--who will be tomorrow's workers.

Therefore, I hereby pledge to support the timely and full implementation of the high-quality and consistent Common Core Standards in my state, including a plan that insures that these standards reach every classroom. I will fully support policies that make these standards meaningful and applicable to every student.

It is in the interest of our children, our state and our nation to better prepare our students for life beyond high school. Clear, consistent, and high quality standards will help restore America to be the world's leader in innovation and productivity.

Sincerely,

Your Name

About The Petition

Forty-five U.S. states and the District of Columbia have adopted the same set of guidelines for what public school students should be learning in reading and math. These are called the Common Core Standards.

When state governors pledge to adopt these standards for their schools, they will ensure that students get increased time with informational reading and be challenged to read at their grade level. They will also focus more deeply and rigorously on the most important basic math topics.

Stand For Children is encouraging the remaining governors (from the states of Texas, Alaska, Nebraska, Minnesota and Virginia) to incorporate the Common Core Standards into their instructional guidelines for public schools. You can join them by signing the petition below.

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You're helping Stand For Children advocate for the inclusion of the Common Core Standards in schools across America.

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Andrew Freeman is a California native with a degree in history from UCLA. He’s covered a wide range of topics for TakePart, but is particularly interested in politics and policy.  Email Andrew |@natureofdabeast | TakePart.com