Olivia Neubauer: 100 Years Old In 2 Weeks And Still Teaching At Chicago School (VIDEO)

The Monday after Olivia Neubauer turns 100 next month, she'll do what she's done every school day since 1935 -- teach.

Neubauer teaches reading to kindergarten and pre-k students at Ashburn Lutheran School, where she's worked since it opened in 1963, after 16 years of teaching elsewhere, CBS Chicago reports. Neubauer began her career at Pullman Tech High School.

After she passes this milestone on March 11, Neubauer says she has no intention of stopping.

"My son keeps saying, 'Mom, when are you going to quit?" she told ABC Chicago. "I say the Lord will tell me when to quit."

Neubauer helped found the school in 1964, according to the associated church's website, and has been actively involved ever since. An annual fund and scholarship fund are maintained in her name.

Neubauer attributes her longevity to genes. She told ABC her mother lived to 100, and two of her cousins lived to be 101.

Comments

[Andy Shick]

08:51 PM on 03/13/2012

One chemistry professor at my college was probably attempting this. He was 83 and was fired because his age was keeping him from effectively teaching. He had essentially gone senile, was not very intelligible, talked very slowly, didn't explain things, looked as if he was always about to die, did eventually have a stroke and fell down stairs (putting him in the hospital for a while and eventually in a wheelchair when he returned to school), and later fell asleep while lecturing (and also had a tooth fall out while lecturing). Glad that the college would finally listen to the students and get rid of him. BTW, he got his PhD in 1952.

[jal6641]

04:38 PM on 03/01/2012

OMG!!!!!!! She has no life!

[Gerald OHare]

02:55 PM on 02/28/2012

Oh yeah keep on working and you will be the richest person in the grave yard.

[lizp33558]

01:28 PM on 02/27/2012

way to go!

[nenasunshine2]

09:58 AM on 02/26/2012

I am inspired to work my full shift on Wednesday instead of vacation time. She's look amazing for 99. A teacher that cares is hard to find. Most are there for the paycheck and seem annoyed by the kids.

[android81]

10:36 PM on 02/26/2012

MOST are there for the paycheck and seem annoyed by the kids? As a teacher who works with inspiring colleagues every day, I find that offensive.

[nenasunshine2]

12:21 AM on 02/29/2012

Don't feel offended if my statement doesn't apply to you. I didn't state all. Either way I will not recant my statement. I've spoken to, acquainted with and overheard teachers verbally communicate their frustrations.

[legallyredhed]

11:24 PM on 02/26/2012

Do you know how little teachers make? They are not there for the paycheck.

[Allan F]

04:17 PM on 02/25/2012

When I was in high school in the fifties I had a history teacher whose mother had been a slave. The stories she told us about the civil war were unbeliveable.She bought copies of the NY Times & Trib each day & had each us read a story from it in front of the class . Best teacher I ever had & she was close to 100 years old. God bless you Miss Cannon.

[lizp33558]

01:29 PM on 02/27/2012

isnt that great, you were very lucky to have her

[bms2buy4]

11:00 AM on 02/25/2012

And She Looks Fantastic. Does not look like she is 100 yrs old.

[VA Jill]

12:15 PM on 02/26/2012

Kids can keep you young! Bless you, Mrs. Neubauer.

[bms2buy4]

10:59 AM on 02/25/2012

WOW!
- but it is a great deal different in Private Schools.

[sis14slf]

06:48 PM on 02/24/2012

she looks marvelous.

[Ryan Trotter]

04:37 PM on 02/24/2012

just hope she dont die in the classroom!! a little traumatic for a kindergartner lol

[admg88]

12:53 PM on 02/24/2012

This is such an inspiring story and woman. I'm going to school to become a teacher and I usually hear so much about the negatives of it, and the people who hate what they do or wish they did something else. Can you imagine all the people whose lives she's touched throughout the past 70 years...amazing.

[SandyCastle]

12:32 PM on 02/24/2012

Oh I love stories like this. I think working with the children is what keeps her so young! If you forced her to quit, she would probably just give up on life. How lucky are those children?? She is a treasure they will remember forever.

[keep it solid]

09:25 AM on 02/25/2012

You're quite right to think so. Active social life has been linked to longevity.
http://news.cancerconnect.com/stronger-social-ties-linked-to-longevity/

[Chi--townfool]

11:53 AM on 02/24/2012

The church better not be paying for her birth control! That would be too much!

[JScott]

11:22 AM on 02/24/2012

Her and Betty White still sharp after all these years.

[AlyssaJMcCarthy]

10:31 AM on 02/24/2012

I'm impressed by how sharp and quick she still is. I think, barring some medical trauma, she could have 10 to 15 more years in her.