Jill Biden starts teaching in Northern Virginia

The nation's second lady started a new job Tuesday.

Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., began teaching English as an adjunct professor at the Alexandria campus of the Northern Virginia Community College.

A teacher for 28 years and the holder of a doctorate, Mrs. Biden most recently taught English composition at Delaware Technical and Community College.

Her decision to continue teaching was expected, but many second ladies have forgone their careers when their husbands took the oath of office.

"I am thrilled to return to the classroom to continue working with community college students, whom I greatly admire and enjoy teaching,” Mrs. Biden said in a statement sent out by the White House.

"I have always believed in the power of community colleges to endow students with critical life skills, and I am pleased that I can make a difference by doing what I love to do, teaching people who are excited to learn," she said.

The White House said Mrs. Biden will continue promoting the importance of "quality education" to the nation's economic well-being.

In an August 2007 interview with The Washington Times, when her husband was running for president, Mrs. Biden said if she were first lady, she would remain focused on literacy, health and education, "which is what I’ve done as a Senate spouse."

Mrs. Biden also explained her Biden Breast Health Initiative, which teaches high school girls the importance of breast exams and self-checks to prevent cancer.

She began the nonprofit in 1993 when one of her friends was stricken with breast cancer.

She said the program she ran in Delaware "absolutely could be expanded nationally" and could focus on preventative health measures for young people to curb obesity and smoking.

— Christina Bellantoni, White House correspondent,
The Washington Times

Please bookmark my blog at 
http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/bellantoni

Find my latest stories here, follow me on Twitter and visit my YouTube page