Lifelong educator. Military mom and grandmother. Wife of @VP Biden. Notes from Dr. Biden are signed —Jill. Notes may be archived: http://wh.gov/privacy

Jun 26, 2016

In Argentina, Dr. Jill Biden highlights educational exchange opportunities

Under President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative, 1,000 students and teachers will have the chance to learn and teach in the United States.

In the morning on Thursday, Dr. Jill Biden met with First Lady of Argentina Juliana Awada La Quinta Presidencial de Olivos — the presidential residence. Dr. Biden thanked the First Lady Macri for her commitment to expanding educational opportunities for the youth in Argentina. Later in the morning, they toured and read to children at Chispitas, an early childhood development center in the heart of Buenos Aires. Chispitas is one of over 50 centers in the city that offer early learning activities and provide nutritional support for children up to four years old.

*Dr. Biden visits First Lady of Argentina Juliana Awada at La Quinta Presidencial de Olivos in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo by James Pan, State Department*

*Dr. Biden and First Lady of Argentina Juliana Awada read to young students at Chispitas early childhood development center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo by James Pan, State Department.*

In the afternoon, Dr. Biden joined Soledad Acuña, Minister of Education of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires for a tour of Instituto Nacional de Educación Tecnológica (INET). INET provides instruction to community college teachers in disciplines including technology, science, robotics and accounting.

During her visit to the technical school, Dr. Biden spoke to teachers and students about the important role community colleges play in advancing higher education opportunities for students in the United States.

“Community colleges are a gateway — a gateway to a new career, to a four-year university and to a more prosperous life.”

— Dr. Biden

*Dr. Biden speaks to teachers and students at Instituto Nacional de Educación Tecnológica* *(INET) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo by James Pan, State Department.*

On Thursday evening Dr. Biden and Ambassador Noah Mamet met with the Argentina’s Minister of Education, Esteban Bullrich at the Ministry of Education in Buenos Aires. Dr. Biden thanked Minister Bullrich for working with United States to create 1,000 new educational exchange opportunities under President’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative.

On Friday, Dr. Biden traveled to San Miguel de Tucuman, the birthplace of democracy in Argentina. She commemorated Argentina’s upcoming bicentennial at the newly renovated Casa Historica de la Independencia.

*Dr. Biden visits Casa Historica de la Independencia in Tucuman, the birthplace of democracy in Argentina, with Ambassador Mamet and Tucuman Governor Juan Manzur. Photo by James Pan, State Department.*

Dr. Biden closed her visit to Argentina with an uplifting address to 1,500 teachers from all over the country at the Teatro Mercedes Sosa in Tucuman. As part of her remarks, she highlighted the role teachers play in building a brighter future for Argentina.

*Dr. Biden thanks teachers from across Argentina for their commitment to their students at Teatro Mercedes Sosa in Tucuman, Argentina. Photo by James, Pan State Department.*

“Teaching doesn’t end when you leave the classroom. You take this responsibility home every single night. You go above and beyond; thinking up creative lessons; taking a few minutes after class to tutor the student who needs a little extra help; spending your own money on supplies. You give a word of encouragement to a students at the moment they really need it, and keep up with your students and their families outside of school.”

— Dr. Biden