First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a former high school English teacher and current community college professor, continues to teach despite her numerous responsibilities as America’s First Lady. Photo Credit: the hill.com

You may be familiar with Dr. Jill Biden, the nation’s current First Lady. But did you know that she is a former high school English teacher? In addition to her experience at the secondary level, Jill has been a professor of English at Community College since 2009. She has declared her intention to continue teaching during her entire tenure as First Lady.

Jill was born on June 3, 1951, in Hammonton, New Jersey. She was raised in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. After she graduated from Upper Moreland High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvnia, in 1969, Jill earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delaware (1975). She earned two Master’s degrees, one in English from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and one in Education from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She completed the requirements for her PhD in Education from the University of Delaware.

After earning her degrees, Jill accepted a position teaching English and reading in high school. She taught for three years at Claymont High School in Delaware, and then at Brandywine High School in Wilmington, Delaware (1991-1993). For five years she taught adolescents with emotional disabilities at Rockford Center Psychiatric Hospital.

From 1993 to 2008, Jill taught English and writing at Delaware Technical & Community College. Since 2009, she has worked as a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College.

When her husband was elected to serve as the Vice President under the Obama Administration, Jill continued to teach full time, even though she had many responsibilities as the wife of the Vice President. She is believed to be the only Second Lady in history to hold down a full-time job while serving as Second Lady. Despite her workload in the classroom, Jill still found time for public service. During her husband’s Vice Presidential term, which spanned the years from 2009 to 2017, the hardworking educator co-founded the Book Buddies program and the Biden Foundation. She also spearheaded a nonprofit organization to support women’s health and another to support military families.

And her work as a public servant and educator continue. Dr. Jill Biden: A true Chalkboard Champion.