ABBOTT ELEMENTARY is a new sitcom that sheds some light on being a first-year teacher. The location is centered in the poorest neighborhoods of western Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It is rare to to view a comedy express the realities of low or non-existent budgets, children who don’t have a warm place to sleep or enough to eat. In this first episode, teacher burnout was also mentioned. And it was all shown through the eyes of one teacher, Janine, (Quinta Brunson) who just wants to help her students any way she can. It is definitely written with a teacher’s soul in mind. I loved the dialogue between the older, experienced teacher, Ava, (Janelle James) and the administrator. Amazing!
As a former teacher of 35 years, so much rang true. It made me remember why I was constantly frustrated with my profession, yet so entirely in love with what I did every day. It is a “calling” for sure, because it was never about the money as shown so clearly in ABBOTT ELEMENTARY.
ABBOTT ELEMENTARY is only at the beginning of its journey. Let’s hope it continues to be honest, authentic, and give teachers the credit they deserve for what they do every day. It is available to stream on CBS/PARAMOUNT Television.
