First Lady Jill Biden has officially stepped down from her position as a full-time educator at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), bringing an end to a remarkable teaching career that spanned over 15 years. Her decision to leave the classroom coincides with significant changes in the political landscape, as President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign faltered following a poor debate performance. This shift ultimately led to Vice President Kamala Harris taking the Democratic nomination for president, though she would go on to lose the 2024 election to Republican nominee Donald Trump, who will return to the White House for a second term.
Jill Biden’s departure from NOVA marks the conclusion of an era in which she became the first sitting First Lady to hold a full-time teaching job. Since 2009, when her husband became Vice President under President Barack Obama, she continued to teach English and writing at NOVA while fulfilling her duties as Second Lady and later as First Lady. Her tenure at the Alexandria-based community college is one of the longest teaching stints ever held by a First Lady.
Before NOVA, Jill Biden had a long history in education. She started her teaching career in 1976 as a high school English teacher in Wilmington, Delaware, later moving on to roles at Delaware Technical Community College and even at a psychiatric hospital. Jill Biden is also highly educated, holding a doctorate in educational leadership, further cementing her commitment to improving education in America.
During her final class at NOVA, which she reflected on during a virtual event with teachers, Jill Biden shared how meaningful teaching had been in her life, saying, “Being the First Lady has been the the best gift of my life. However being a colleague to you has been the work of my life.” Her dedication to teaching has been a defining part of her public service, with her well-known mantra, “Teaching isn’t what I do, it’s who I am,” resonating with many educators across the country.
While her future plans remain unclear, Jill Biden’s legacy in education will undoubtedly leave an enduring impact. As the First Lady, she has always championed the value of education, and her decision to continue teaching while in office reflects her lifelong commitment to this cause.