Jill Biden Ends 40-Year Teaching Career at NOVA

After more than 40 years in education, First Lady Jill Biden has officially wrapped up her teaching career. She recently announced during a virtual event honoring educators that she had taught her final class at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), where she had worked full-time for 15 years.

“Being your First Lady has been the honor of my life. But being your colleague has been the work of my life,” she said, joined by union leaders Randi Weingarten and Becky Pringle.

Dr. Biden, the first U.S. First Lady to maintain a full-time job outside the White House, began teaching in 1976. Her career spanned high schools, a psychiatric hospital, and community colleges. She earned her doctorate in education and joined NOVA in 2009.

NOVA President Anne Kress praised Biden as an “exceptional faculty member” who left a lasting legacy. While her future in education remains uncertain, Biden reaffirmed her love for the profession: “I will always love this profession.”

Aides have not confirmed whether she plans to return to teaching.