Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers and schools have been under fire for doing their jobs to the best of their ability with the extra stressors of the world. The pandemic brought with it loads of problems that we didn’t even know existed before the entire globe was shut down. Students are falling behind, curriculum is being debated, and teachers are forced to work under conditions that are unlike anything they've had to deal with before.
For many who are entering into education, the field can seem scary, uncertain, and even overwhelming. Teachers are being expected to do so much more than they are trained for, and certainly more than they are paid for.
For students looking to become teachers, “Abbott Elementary” is a refreshing look into teaching. Though it still talks about the hardships that come with the profession, such as being underpaid and emotionally overwhelmed, it focuses on the positives of teaching too.
“Abbott Elementary” showcases the differences that teachers can make in their students' lives, even through the struggles they face behind the scenes.
This show is a look into how essential teachers and schools are to students. With the public view on teachers being so contested, a show like “Abbott Elementary” brings a lot of joy and interest into the realm of education.
Though it is a mockumentary, the show touches on a lot of issues that every day teachers face, underfunding and teacher burnout being amongst the most prevalent.
Abbott Elementary is set in Philadelphia, Pa. and is supposed to be a very underfunded school with kids who come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The show addresses these issues in various ways, showing the struggles for teachers to find quality supplies for their classrooms, how hard it can be to contact working parents, and also how drained teachers can become from dealing with it all.
Another issue that the show focuses on is how children use technology and the internet. There are many episodes that focus on how phones and social media impact the students’ learning and their focus in the classroom. This competition for attention between phones and education is one that teachers face everyday in their classrooms.
Quinta Brunson, the creator of “Abbott Elementary,” handles these very real issues with grace and sensitivity. At the same time, she manages to create one of the funniest and most relevant shows airing today.
With a diverse cast, relevant jokes, and a slowburn romantic subplot, “Abbott Elementary” creates the perfect balance for a TV show.
This is a show that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you question the education system in the United States, and make you appreciate all of the teachers you had growing up.
New episodes release on ABC at 9 p.m. every Wednesday and are streaming on Hulu the following day. With one season completed and a second airing, it is quick to binge and easy to enjoy.
I would rate “Abbott Elementary” a 10 out of 10.
