NORFOLK, Va. — Jill Biden made a stop in Hampton Roads Thursday during the early voting period to speak with local leaders and educators and meet with military families.
Dr. Biden held a listening session Thursday morning with State Delegate Jeion Ward, who represents part of the city of Hampton.
"So often educators are spoken to, given instructions, told what to do, but seldom do they have the opportunity to tell their truth," Ward said.
The session included Virginia Education Association President Dr. James Fedderman and other leading educators in the region.
The former second lady wanted to hear the challenges they're facing in the middle of this pandemic, what some of the systematic barriers educators of color experience and how can her husband best support them.
"There will be an educator in the White House who will fight for change and fight for all of you," Biden said. "He's going to support innovative approaches to recruiting teachers of color because he knows how much that matters."
Dr. Fedderman said Biden speaking with educators sends a message.
"It sends the message that they're serious about the business of children and public education," Fedderman said.
Later in the day, she's scheduled to meet with military families from across the region. She'll head to Richmond right after.
Dr. Biden is campaigning on behalf of her husband, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, and is expected to talk about how he and Senator Kamala Harris plan to respond to the pandemic and help working families.
Biden's Thursday visits comes just a day ahead of President Donald Trump's rally at the Newport News airport Friday night.