ABC’s mockumentary, Abbott Elementary, follows the inner workings of grade school teachers in an underfunded system in Philadelphia. Now with three seasons, new episodes are released weekly and shock the media with the number of guest stars and relevant topics. The show is written by Quinta Brunson, who also stars as Janine Teagues, and recently won an Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series in January. Quinta was the first black actress to win that award in over 40 years.
The teachers of Abbott Elementary have their unique way of teaching with a very tone-deaf principal who got the job through blackmail. Janine Teagues is a very optimistic and passionate teacher alongside the other second-grade teacher, Ms. Schemmenti, played by Lisa Ann Walter. Sheryl Lee Ralph plays the beloved kindergarten teacher and also stars Gregory Edie, the first-grade teacher played by Tyler James Willaims. Chris Perfetti plays the awkward (and sometimes “corny”) Jacob Hill, the 6th grade history teacher (Brunson). Kelly Lawler of USA Today describes this season as “comfort TV, without the ‘guilty pleasure’ attached” and it most certainly is (Lawler).
The show has already included many cameos from many unexpected celebrities. The list includes Ayo Edibiri, Bradley Cooper, Jalen Hurts, Jason Kelce, Brandon Graham, and Taraji P. Henson. Although the fictional school is getting a lot of recognition from celebrities, the show’s main focus is the reality of underpaid teachers who are motivated by their love of teaching children.
During a TV review by Variety Magazine, Aramide Tinubu recalls a study done in 2018 that covers the American workplace. According to the study in Tinibu’s words, “new teachers are leaving the profession by year five at a rate of 44%, with 25% of that turnover happening in inner cities” (Tinibu). The show was able to highlight teachers who are not in it for money, but still deal with financial struggles. A teacher’s love, struggles, and motivation for teaching is an underappreciated concept in media that Quinta Brunson was able to bring entertainment and humor to throughout the series.
