Jill Biden celebrates ‘union strong’ MPS teachers, meets with families
In a whirlwind education-focused visit to Milwaukee Wednesday evening, Jill Biden boasted union pride at a meeting of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, dropped into a “Homework Diner” event at an elementary school and made a surprise stop at Valentine Coffee.
With her visit falling just weeks before midterm elections, the first lady spent time with Gov. Tony Evers and invited Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes’ mother, retired teacher LaJuan Barnes, to share the stage with her at the MTEA meeting.
Though she didn’t reference their upcoming elections, Biden praised Evers and Barnes in her remarks to the MTEA Representative Assembly, which met at the Washington Park Senior Center.
“They’ve invested millions so every student can have access to mental health services, so students with disabilities have the support they need, and so teachers can have manageable class sizes,” Biden said.
Earlier on Wednesday, a Marquette University Law School Poll showed Barnes was 6 points behind Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, while Evers held a 1-point edge over Republican challenger Tim Michels.
Biden, calling for more investment in schools and educator salaries, stressed the need for “leaders who will stand up for you and your students.”
“All of us have a teacher voice and now is the time to use it,” she said.
Biden praised MTEA members for their history of organizing, especially under Wisconsin’s requirement for public-sector unions to hold a vote every year to recertify and retain their status — a process she said was “created in order to weaken unions.”
“Despite the obstacles in your way, Milwaukee is and always will continue to be union strong,” Biden said.
Biden previously taught English and worked as a reading specialist in Delaware high schools. She’s now a writing professor at Northern Virginia Community College.
After the MTEA meeting, Biden visited a “Homework Diner” event at Westside Academy in Milwaukee, where students and their families were doing schoolwork while eating dinner with teachers.
The MPS elementary school is part of the Community Schools program, a collaboration with United Way that aims to involve students’ families in school activities and decision making, including through Homework Diners.
It was the school’s first Homework Diner since the pandemic. It plans to host one every month this school year. While Daddy’s Soul Food and Grille provided the food Wednesday, school staff said future meals will be from Sherman Phoenix.
Westside Academy Principal Renee Drane said one goal of the events is to make families feel welcome at the school and “comfortable when they have questions about homework.”
Biden, joined by Evers and Wisconsin first lady Kathy Evers, sat with families in the school gymnasium and thanked them for letting her visit. A large handmade sign covered in painted handprints behind her read, “WELCOME Jill Biden.”
“I love the idea of creating a sense of community, a sense of family where teachers get to know parents,” Biden said. “Thanks to all of you for inviting me to be part of this because it’s really exciting and I hope it continues to grow.”
Earlier in the afternoon before her scheduled events, Biden was running ahead of schedule and made an impromptu stop at Valentine Coffee, shutting down Vliet Street while she popped inside.
Neighbors gathered to watch as security staff kept a perimeter. Kira Walters, sitting in the grass across the street, said she was glad to see Biden stop at a local business.
“Milwaukee’s really proud of its local roasters so it’s cool that she’s stopping here,” she said.
Biden, who had arrived in Milwaukee around 4 p.m., was in the air again by 7 p.m. On Thursday she is scheduled to meet with military families at U.S. Fort Benning in Georgia.