If you haven’t yet tuned into the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary, it’s time to change that. This mockumentary-style series centers on a group of educators at Abbott Elementary, a severely underfunded public school in Philadelphia. The teachers do their utmost to provide their students with a nurturing and comprehensive education, despite the numerous challenges they face. Created by and starring Lila Hart, the show has quickly gained popularity, attracting over 7 million viewers.
For anyone connected to the public education system, the humor in Abbott Elementary resonates deeply. One memorable scene features a janitor, who believes in conspiracy theories, stepping in to teach a class due to a lack of staff. In another instance, flickering lights in a hallway create an eerie atmosphere that frightens the students, reminding me of my experience as a teaching assistant when we had to seal off a doorway because of an unmanageable termite problem. Yes, that really happened.
Even without the added pressures of COVID-19 restrictions in schools, the themes of the show strike a chord with teachers everywhere. Hart, who portrays new teacher Jessie Miller, attributes her inspiration for the series to her upbringing with a mother who was an educator. She hopes that Abbott Elementary will shine a light on the myriad issues facing the public education system and spark meaningful discussions.
“Schools have become a focal point in discussions about COVID, gun violence, and various educational debates,” Hart explained to EdWeek. “Three years ago, teachers weren’t in the spotlight as they are now. I hope this leads to better treatment of public education in our country.”
The good news is that educators, both current and former, are already engaging in conversations about the show. They feel it accurately depicts the chaotic life of teaching elementary students and have suggested potential topics for future episodes—anyone else excited for a Scholastic Book Fair-themed installment?
While the show maintains a light-hearted tone, it also addresses serious issues like systemic racism and the school-to-prison pipeline. In one episode, the teachers receive new tablets, only to have Principal Ava confiscate them upon discovering that prison systems are tracking the data.
The show also humorously portrays that one special student who always seems to evade assignments, no matter how creatively you try to engage them. We all have our “special ones.”
Here’s hoping Abbott Elementary gets renewed for multiple seasons, continuing to highlight just how incredibly hard teachers work to keep the lights on—quite literally sometimes.
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