A significant chapter comes to a close as America's First Lady makes an unexpected announcement about her professional life.
According to AP, Jill Biden revealed during a virtual event with teachers that she taught her final class at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) last week, marking the end of her 15-year tenure at the institution.
The announcement came as a surprise during a "thank you" event where Biden addressed teachers from across the country alongside teachers' union presidents Randi Weingarten and Becky Pringle.
The First Lady's decision coincides with President Joe Biden's upcoming departure from the White House following his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.
Biden made history as the first presidential spouse to maintain a professional career outside the White House while serving as First Lady. Her commitment to education began in 1976 when she started teaching English at a Wilmington, Delaware high school.
The 73-year-old educator's journey at NOVA began in 2009 during Barack Obama's presidency when her husband served as Vice President. Even after Joe Biden's vice-presidential term concluded in 2017, she continued teaching, commuting from Delaware to maintain her commitment to education.
Throughout her career, Biden earned multiple degrees, including two master's degrees and a doctorate in educational leadership. She also gained diverse teaching experience, including working as a reading specialist and teaching English at a psychiatric hospital.
NOVA president Anne Kress praised Biden's contributions to the institution, highlighting her exceptional faculty service and profound impact on students. Her influence extended beyond the classroom, as she became a prominent advocate for community colleges nationwide.
Biden's dedication to teaching was evident in her often-quoted personal motto about her profession. As she told her fellow educators during the virtual event:
Being your first lady has been the honor of my life. But being your colleague has been the work of my life.
Her commitment to education remained unwavering even during her time as First Lady, as she expressed:
I will always love this profession, which is why I continued to teach full time while serving as your first lady.
Dr. Jill Biden's retirement from NOVA marks the conclusion of her 15-year association with the institution and caps a remarkable 40-year teaching career.
The announcement coincides with the upcoming transition in the White House, as President Biden prepares to leave office following his decision not to seek reelection after a challenging debate performance against Donald Trump.
While the First Lady's departure from NOVA is confirmed, her representatives have not clarified whether this marks her complete retirement from teaching. However, her legacy as an educator and advocate for community colleges remains firmly established, leaving an indelible mark on American education.
