Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at the Virtual Department of Education’s Safe School Reopening Summit

South Court Auditorium

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

Good afternoon, and welcome—virtually—to the White House, for our National Safe School Reopening Summit.

Last September, I had the chance to visit communities to see how educators were handling the challenges of going back to school. And I met a teacher who was coming to his classroom every day, even though his entire class was virtual. 

When I asked him why, he explained that he wanted his students to see the room—to understand that the space was special. Because it’s a safe place to learn and grow. Because it belongs to them, even if they can’t be there in person. 

He told me that what educators really do is create community. 

And I know exactly what he means. 

I teach English and writing. And at the start of the college semester, my students are often shy and closed up. 

But as time passes, they share stories about their lives. They learn and laugh together, they root for each other and take risks. They courageously read their writing out loud—sincere and raw, and sometimes heartbreaking. 

They trust each other because they know: this is our community.

Over the last year, educators have done so much to keep that connection alive. But teaching virtually just isn’t the same. 

In my class, students don’t chat with each other like they used to after lectures are over. I can’t read their body language to know when they’re struggling.  

I have so much admiration for those teaching elementary-aged children who are tired of screens but don’t have the language to articulate why.

Or middle school students, who are struggling to find their identities, isolated from their friends. 

Or high school students, missing out on the moments that are supposed to stay with them forever: prom and championships and class trips.

There are some who have questioned whether or not educators want to go back to school. Of course, we do. 

Classrooms are where our work comes alive. They’re where we can truly connect with our students—where we build community.  

But we have to go back safely.

When we passed the American Rescue Plan, we took an enormous step toward that goal. 

And today, we’re going to come together to share solutions for schools across the country. 

We’re here to listen and learn from you. We’re going to support you—because we know that’s the only way our students will succeed.  

But we also know that this isn’t going to be easy.  

My husband made a commitment to you: that we would be open and honest about the opportunities and challenges of reopening schools for in-person learning. 

Which is why today is just the beginning. 

We aren’t always going to get this right, but we’re always going to work with you. We’re going to be transparent with you. And we’re going to earn your trust, just like you do for your students every day. 

Recently, I’ve been touring schools to see what’s working and what’s not, and I had the chance to visit a school in Concord, New Hampshire. 

I met some of the kids who are coming in part time, and I asked a fifth-grader what he had learned during this pandemic. 

He said, “I can do stuff that can be hard or difficult. If you’re stuck then keep going.”

So many educators have felt stuck this year. But we keep going. 

It’s what we’ve always done: when the classroom budgets run out, when children can’t focus because they are worried about their families, when the lesson plans go wrong, we find a way to push past the chaos and build something beautiful.  

We never stop learning. 

We never give up on the students who need us. 

And together, we will rebuild our schools and create the communities our students need. 

Thank you.

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