Every US president and first lady who worked as a schoolteacherNEWS | 27 June 2026Former first lady Jill Biden frequently cited the motto, "Teaching isn't just what I do, it's who I am."
Biden is perhaps one of the most notable teachers to occupy the White House, with a career in education spanning four decades and ranging from high schools and colleges to a psychiatric hospital.
But experience in the classroom has shaped the nation's highest office more than you might realize: Nineteen presidents and first ladies have served as K-12 teachers. Business Insider compiled a list of each individual, excluding non-presidential spouses known as acting first ladies.
Among these, both spouses of just two presidential couples — the Fillmores and the Garfields — worked as teachers.
Many other presidents have been college professors, including Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Wilson had a career in academia spanning more than 20 years and was the only president to earn a PhD. However, the extent of their roles varied, with some only serving in part-time or honorary positions.
See every president who worked as a K-12 teacher, followed by every first lady.Author: More Stories. James Laforge. Every Time. Look Out For An Alert In Your Inbox The Next Time. Source
