Abbott Elementary Finally Shows the Real-Life Joy, Frustration, and Fun of Being a Teacher

Teachers have always had it tough.

Long before COVID-19 brought national awareness to the struggles of distance learning, which only served to magnify the difficulties faced by teachers every day pre-pandemic, educators were already engaged in a trying battle.

Increased violence in schools, high stakes testing, a continuing rise in mental health issues among students, school budget constraints and the public’s general lack of understanding in what a teacher actually does has led to many educators feeling undervalued and under-supported. While it’s sadly ironic that it took a pandemic to see teacher appreciation on the upswing, the profession has remained an enigma in a medium you’d have thought would serve it well: television.

For decades it’s been easy to find an intriguing drama or hilarious comedy about police officers, doctors, firefighters, and lawyers. It’s even easier to find a successful TV series about big box store employees (Superstore), physicists (The Big Bang Theory), and people who sell paper (The Office) than it is about teachers.

So when the press release for Abbott Elementary initially hit my inbox, I dismissed it. Despite having almost 20 years experience as a public school teacher, I’ve rarely come across a series that accurately portrays the profession. According to Hollywood, teachers can’t take attendance without losing their temper (Mr. Garvey, Key and Peele), become drug kingpins (Walter White, Breaking Bad), are lovelorn, alcoholic chain-smokers (Edna Krabappel, The Simpsons) or much (Riverdale), much (How To Get Away With Murder) worse. A new TV show about teachers? Puh-lease.

There hasn’t been a quality TV series about educators since Welcome Back, Kotter, a show that premiered in 1975. Considering almost 50 years of educational ineptitude have passed, there was no way Abbott Elementary could break this trend, right? Wrong. Right from the jump, it grabs you with its authenticity and humor.

Filmed in a mockumentary style, ABC’s Abbott Elementary follows a mix of new and veteran elementary school teachers in Philadelphia who are determined to help their students succeed at an underfunded and poorly managed school. While this doesn’t sound like fertile material for comedy, the series’ creator, writer, and star Quinta Brunson has managed to crack a code no one else has. She’s made a profession that many have only a basic understanding of relatable and funny. It’s a humorous look at what it’s really like to be a teacher—and I’m not the only one who thinks so.

Abbott Elementary is the first new comedy to have quadrupled its ratings since its December debut. The show has become an internet sensation and is lauded by critics. Paste’s own Amy Amatangelo even called it, “the best new network show of the season.” The series is also getting noticed by professional educators. This includes many I know, so I asked them what they believe rang true as they watched the first season:

“I especially liked the interaction between younger and veteran teachers and how, although they might have different approaches and views, they share a common goal and love for the kids.” —Toni Maliniemi, special education teacher.

“The older teacher speaks a lot of truths about education. She knows the system well enough to give her students everything she has.” —Nicole Sundermeyer, kindergarten teacher.

“Teachers are always buying supplies for both students and themselves. I have personally purchased backpacks and any supplies that were needed for my students. I know that all of my colleagues that I am privileged to work with have done the same.” —Diana Botz, math interventionist.