First Lady Dr. Jill Biden teamed up with Good Housekeeping for the September 2021 issue (on newsstands August 17th) to celebrate the incredible impact of teachers and to emphasize what a powerful, integral role they have in our society. As part of the feature, educators of all levels, from preschool to college, share the high points of their jobs, their inspiration and the most urgent issues facing students today.
Good Housekeeping also sat down with Dr. Biden, who has been teaching for decades, including the years her husband, President Joe Biden, served as Vice President, to learn more about her experience, why community college is so important, her favorite books to teach and what she wants people to understand about her profession: “Teaching is a calling; it is more than a job. Whatever I’m doing, there’s always a part of me that’s thinking about my students, wondering how they are doing, or asking myself what more I can do to help them if they’re struggling.”
DR. JILL BIDEN QUOTES
On what made her want to become a teacher: “In college, I started working with older students who struggled with reading. I’ve always loved to read, and I wanted to help them find that same joy that I found in books. It was then that I knew that I’d found my calling.”
On what she missed most about being in the classroom during the pandemic: “As I think most teachers will tell you, there’s just so much that doesn’t translate through a computer screen. I’ve missed being able to read people’s body language when they aren’t connecting with the material I’m teaching. I miss the energy of a full class, when everyone is talking over each other and the ideas bounce back and forth between them. I miss the conversations that happen when people linger after class.”
On the lasting impact her students have had on her and why they are like ‘family’: “A few years ago, I had to tell my class that I would miss the next session for personal reasons. Now, my students have never suffered from a lack of curiosity. So, they immediately began shouting, ‘Dr. B, Dr. B, where’re you going?’ My sister was having the first of her cancer treatments, and she would be in a hospital room for six weeks. I tried to explain with as much composure as I could muster, but the words caught in my throat. I turned to face the whiteboard, hoping to hold back my emotions. When I turned back around, the entire class was standing. They lined up and gave me a hug, one by one. Until that moment, I didn’t realize how much I was struggling, or how much I needed their strength. I recognized then that this community of students was my family too.”
On the most rewarding part about being a teacher: “There is nothing like helping students find their confidence and begin to use their voices, or seeing that spark light up in their eyes the moment a concept falls into place.”
On what makes community colleges so important and why she and the President think two years should be free for all Americans: “Community colleges are engines of economic prosperity. Most importantly, they meet the needs of students and communities: offering classes that are flexible, so students don’t have to choose between work and school; training for real-world jobs, tailored to the communities they serve; and providing a strong foundation for a four-year degree.”
“The President and I believe that two years of community college should be free for all Americans. Kindergarten through high school just isn’t enough education to keep pace with our changing world and growing economy.”
On what she wishes people would understand about teachers: “Teaching is a calling; it is more than a job. We are truly dedicated to our students and are committed to their success. Many believe teachers leave school at three o’clock and have summers off. The truth is, teaching in front of our classroom is just one part of the job. We spend hours at home grading papers or creating lesson plans. On top of all of that, we always carry our students with us. Whatever I’m doing, there’s always a part of me that’s thinking about my students, wondering how they are doing, or asking myself what more I can do to help them if they’re struggling.”
On her favorite books to teach: “I love teaching the classics! To Kill a Mockingbird, The Scarlet Letter, and The Great Gatsby. Most recently I taught Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.”