First Lady Pool Reports of December 16, 2024

FLOTUS Pool Report | Virtual thank you message for educators

FLOTUS walked into South Court auditorium at 6:33 PM in a red pantsuit and rhinestones platform sneakers. National Education Association president Becky Pringle and American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten joined her on a navy couch.

She began her remarks by addressing today's school shooting in Madison, Wisc. "We must protect our children and educators from gun violence," she said.

FLOTUS then transitioned to her holiday message. She recalled meeting with Pringle and Weingarten the day after inauguration and promising them that "as long as Joe was in the White House, educators would always have a seat at the table," FLOTUS said. "That promise has been my guiding light over the last four years."

She turned her attention to educators and thanked them "for opening your hearts and your classrooms to me, all across the country." FLOTUS noted that she hosted the first ever "Teachers of the Year" state dinner. She also thanked teachers for "coming together during the last election, using your 'teacher voice' to organize and get out the vote."

FLOTUS noted that she taught her last class of the semester and her final class ever at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has taught since 2009. "Being your First Lady has been the honor of my life, but being your colleague has been the work of my life."

FLOTUS thanked Pringle and Weingarten individually before turning remarks over to them. Weingarten also acknowledged the shooting as she thanked the Bidens for their efforts on behalf of educators. "As First Lady, you set a standard of compassion and nurturing and prodding in a very direct, friendly way and determined way," Weingarten said.

Pringle spoke third, telling FLOTUS that "there are not words that could capture the level of gratitude" from NEA's members. FLOTUS said "yes, yeah!" as Pringle described the administration's efforts to reduce student loan debt and make college education more affordable.

"You have left a legacy that won't end as you leave the People's House," Pringle said, and added she was heartened to hear FLOTUS would continue to work on educational issues after President Biden leaves office.

FLOTUS closed out the message. "While the world shifts under our feet, we will always have each other," she said. "So right now, more than anything else, my message to you is this: Lean on each other. Be each other's strength, and never forget the power of educators to transform lives."

Remarks ended at 6:48 PM. FLOTUS and her guests left the stage then.

Reportable Background from the Office of the First Lady | December 16, 2024

Today, December 16th, First Lady Jill Biden, a classroom teacher for 40 years, will host a virtual thank you event for educators with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA). This South Court auditorium event will be livestreamed HERE [whitehouse.gov] at 6:30 PM ET.

Remarks Program

1. First Lady Jill Biden
2. Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
3. Becky Pringle, President, National Education Association

Background on First Lady Jill Biden

As a classroom teacher for 40 years, Dr. Biden has advocated for increased educational opportunities for all students, of all ages. From championing universal pre-school, teacher recruitment and retention, opportunities for career-connected learning, and more affordable options for education after high school, including free community college, Dr. Biden continues her work promoting quality education for everyone. Dr. Biden also continues to teach English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has been a professor since 2009.