Farewell, Dr. Jill
Jill Biden Ends Her 40-Year Teaching Career at NOVA. After four decades devoted to education, First Lady Jill Biden has officially concluded her tenure as a professor. She announced during a virtual event honoring educators that she had taught her final class at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)—a place where she had been teaching English and writing full-time for 15 years.
Speaking at the event—joined virtually by union leaders Randi Weingarten (American Federation of Teachers) and Becky Pringle (National Education Association)—she said, “Being your First Lady has been the honor of my life. But being your colleague has been the work of my life.”
Jill Biden recalled that she managed to balance her teaching career with her role in the White House, reflecting her deep commitment to the classroom: “I will always love this profession, which is why I continued to teach full time while serving as your First Lady.”
NOVA President Anne Kress praised her as an “exceptional faculty member” who earned the deep respect and admiration of both students and staff. She added that Biden leaves behind a powerful legacy at America’s community colleges.
Jill Biden launched her teaching journey in 1976, instructing high school students in English and working as a reading specialist. Later, she taught at a psychiatric hospital, earned a doctorate in educational leadership, and then spent 15 years teaching at Delaware Technical Community College before joining NOVA in 2009.
Even as First Lady—the first in U.S. history to maintain a full-time professional career outside of the White House—she continued teaching. It remains unclear whether she plans to retire entirely from teaching or may someday return in another capacity. Aides had no immediate comment.
