Farewell, Dr. Jill

First Lady Jill Biden has ended her 40-year teaching career, announcing that she has taught her final class at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), where she worked full-time for 15 years teaching English and writing.

The announcement came during a virtual event honoring educators, where she was joined by union leaders Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers and Becky Pringle of the National Education Association.

“Being your First Lady has been the honor of my life. But being your colleague has been the work of my life,” Biden told attendees, reflecting on her dual role as educator and First Lady.

She noted her deep love for teaching, explaining that her passion for the profession is what motivated her to continue working full-time in the classroom while serving in the White House.

NOVA President Anne Kress praised Biden as an “exceptional faculty member” who earned the admiration of both students and colleagues, and whose influence will endure across America’s community colleges.

Biden began teaching in 1976, working as a high school English teacher and reading specialist before teaching at a psychiatric hospital, earning her doctorate in educational leadership, and spending 15 years at Delaware Technical Community College. She joined NOVA in 2009.

The First Lady, the first in U.S. history to hold a full-time professional position outside the White House, has not announced whether she will fully retire from teaching or return in another role. Aides offered no immediate comment on her future plans.