Jill Biden has always been a woman of many roles, but one thing that has remained constant throughout her career is her love for teaching. After 15 years as a professor at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), Jill Biden made the decision to “retire” from her classroom duties. But don’t expect her to disappear from the world of education — she’s always been more than just a first lady.
A Teacher at Heart
Jill Biden’s academic journey began long before she became a White House resident. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delaware in 1975, she taught at St. Mark’s High School in Wilmington, Delaware. But teaching wasn’t just a job for her; it was a calling. By 1981, she earned a Master’s in Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, then a second master’s degree in English from Villanova University in 1991.
Her career as an educator took her to various high schools before settling into a tenure at Delaware Technical Community College, where she taught from 1993 to 2008. And this was just the beginning of her career in the classroom.
The First Lady Who Never Stopped Teaching
Jill’s teaching career reached a historic milestone when she became the first First Lady in U.S. history to continue working while occupying the White House. Even as her husband, Joe Biden, was elected vice president in 2009, Jill remained a professor at NVCC, where she taught English. In doing so, she redefined the role of a presidential spouse, demonstrating that the White House didn’t have to mark the end of a career.
The First Lady also earned a Doctorate in Education from the University of Delaware in 2007. Her academic background and dedication to teaching were key factors in her work with community colleges during the Obama-Biden administration.
A Historic Farewell to the Classroom
In December 2024, Jill Biden bid farewell to NVCC, marking the end of her role as a professor, but not the end of her impact. With a career spanning over four decades, Jill Biden leaves behind a legacy that touched the lives of countless students. As she stepped away from teaching, her heart still belonged to the classroom — after all, being a teacher was “the work of her life.”
Her passion for education will no doubt continue to shape the country, just as it has shaped her own journey. Whether in the White House or a lecture hall, Jill Biden’s role as a lifelong educator is a story that will always be remembered.
