As a kid, I never truly appreciated the lengths my teachers went to to provide for my education — until I saw it on screen.
In a television landscape packed with flashy dramas and reality shows, “Abbott Elementary” stands out for its sharp wit, heartwarming moments and its portrayal of challenges in underfunded schools in low-income communities.
Through the lens of its educators, the show offers a humorous but honest representation of what it means to teach in a system that often falls short for those who need it most.
Premiering in 2021, the show quickly garnered critical acclaim. Set in a predominantly Black, lower-income neighborhood in Philadelphia, “Abbott” highlights a group of overworked teachers who work tirelessly to support their students despite limited resources and systematic obstacles.
Key characters include Janine Teagues, an optimistic second-grade teacher eager to make a difference in the school; Barbara Howard, a no-nonsense kindergarten teacher who serves as a mentor for the younger educators and Gregory Eddie, a rigid first-grade teacher who contrasts Teagues’ free-spirited self.
Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of the show, drew inspiration from her mother’s experience as a kindergarten teacher in West Philadelphia. Brunson gained an inside look at the education system, which ultimately inspired her to create “Abbott.”
“That’s what was compelling to me about doing this kind of show because there’s so much more to show: Real people who are choosing, most times, to do the most underpaid job in the world. What makes up that kind of person?” Brunson said in an article by NBC.
The show illustrates the consequences of underfunding in public schools, highlighting how the lack of resources directly impacts teachers and students.
Outdated books, minimal supplies and accessibility issues force the teachers in the show to improvise. Oftentimes, the teachers are dipping into personal funds to provide for the classroom. Chronic understaffing leaves teachers overwhelmed with large class sizes and the inability to attend to individual student needs.
The pressures of teaching with inadequate resources also lead to burnout.
Teagues is consistently pushing herself to the brink to compensate for the school’s shortcomings, taking on multiple roles and responsibilities that aren’t sustainable. Her relentless, though admirable, drive leads to exhaustion and self-doubt as she struggles to balance optimism with the system’s harsh realities.
Another example of burnout is shown with Howard. As a veteran teacher, her character arc reveals the emotional toll of working in a broken school system for decades. In a school that barely provides the necessary support for its students, she tries to shield them from the impact of budget cuts.
These challenges aren’t made-up scenarios — they are daily realities faced by educators in underfunded schools.
Equally vital to keeping the school functioning are contributions from parents, local businesses and the community.
In the episode “Wishlist,” Teagues and her colleagues ask the local community to donate supplies since the city doesn’t provide enough funding. After teachers post videos online sharing their limited resources, community donations pour in.
While the generosity doesn’t go unnoticed, it’s important to recognize that schools should not have to rely on outside resources for basic educational tools. This episode is both comedic and uplifting, but the overall message implies failures in public school funding.
In a Seattle Times article, Chandra Moon, a special education teacher in the Seattle area, commented on the show’s accuracy.
“I think it’s pretty legit in the fact that they found a way to make a comedic twist about real things that happen within the teaching world that people are not always open to accepting,” Moon said. “They see it as teachers complaining again, but it’s real reality, and instead of it being fully put out as a negative complaint, they found a way to put comedy into the mix so people are more apt to have understanding and empathy.”
The production team of “Abbott” doesn’t just address these issues, they do something about them.
Since its first season, a portion of the marketing budget has gone toward providing resources to teachers and students, according to Variety. The show also partnered with brands like S’well to donate reusable water bottles and French Toast to provide uniforms to Title 1 schools.
“Abbott Elementary” is more than a sitcom. By blending humor with systemic struggles in education, the show humanizes the educators and communities that provide for students every day.
Through powerfully exposing these challenges, the show leaves a lasting impact on viewers, encouraging them to recognize and advocate for much-needed change in the American education system.
