Anne Sullivan was a teacher.
Johanna Mansfield Sullivan Macy ( April 14 , 1866 -- October 20 , 1936 ) , better known as Anne Sullivan , was an American teacher , best known for being the instructor and lifelong companion of Helen Keller . She received her education as a student of the Perkins School for the Blind where upon graduation she became a teacher to Keller when she was 20 .