10 Abbott Elementary Episodes That Point Out Real Issues In Schools

Abbott Elementary has several episodes covering real-life issues the public education system faces today. ABC’s hit sitcom Abbott Elementary is one of the best comedy shows on air. From memorable moments to funny characters, this show is full of heart and sincerity. Abbott Elementary even has a pattern of bringing in iconic guest stars—including Ayo Edebiri and Bradley Cooper—that make the show shine even more. Abbott Elementary season 4 is set to premiere on October 9, 2024, and the show has already covered many issues that schools often endure today.

Abbott Elementary‘s effort and care in crafting storylines that revolve around real-life issues public schools face is one of the reasons why the show is so special. Some of these issues are well-known, such as lack of funds and competitive charter schools. However, Abbott Elementary covers other topics that are also important to discuss, such as diverse teaching methods and the delicate relationship between teachers and their students’ parents. Regardless of what issue Abbott Elementary explores, the show always does an excellent job of portraying them.

10 Season 1, Episode 3: “Wishlist”

School Supplies Are Expensive For Teachers

Abbott Elementary season 1, episode 3, “Wishlist,” dives into one of the most important issues public educators face today—the education system does not supply adequate school supplies for their teachers and students. Although this issue is part of a much bigger problem—lack of funding—the issue of school supplies significantly stands on its own. In the episode, Janine desperately wants Barbara to post her school supply wishlist on TikTok, hoping people will contribute. Barbara insists she is fine, but Janine and Ava go behind her back and post a viral TikTok of Barbara’s school supply wishlist.

When Barbara learns the truth about Ava and Janine’s TikTok, she is not necessarily mad, but she wants to teach her students to make the best of what they have to build their strength and character. However, Barbara ends up keeping the school supplies because they have become so expensive in today’s economy that she cannot even afford her own stapler. This episode provides a valuable lesson about the importance of humility while recognizing that sometimes, humility can only do so much—and teachers desperately need better school supplies.

9 Season 1, Episode 11: “Desking”

The Relationship Between Teachers & Students

Abbott Elementary season 1, episode 11, “Desking,” covers a topic that is not often discussed as an education issue, but it is just as significant. In the episode, students at Abbott Elementary School partake in a national TikTok trend called desking, which challenges students to jump from desk to desk in the classroom without staff noticing. Once the teachers discover the trend, they become determined to stop it and attempt different ideas to end it. However, Barbara points out they have been unsuccessful for a critical reason—the teachers are not thinking of their students as students but rather as peers.

Janine and Jacob believe they can find the right way to connect to their students, but kids cannot relate to their teachers. Most students think their teachers are weird or uncool. It does not lessen the impact teachers have on their students, but most kids do not realize it until they have grown up. They will eventually love and appreciate their teachers, but while they are kids, they will not be able to relate to them. The staff at Abbott Elementary School need to stop treating their students as if they will take their teachers seriously because they will not.

8 Season 2, Episode 1: “Development Day”

Overcrowded Classrooms & Teacher Shortages

Although Abbott Elementary season 2, episode 1, “Development Day,” primarily focuses on Janine dealing with her breakup. However, the episode also introduces a storyline that is one of the most critical issues in today’s education system—the shortage of teachers producing overcrowded classrooms. Melissa Schemmenti, Abbott’s principal, Ava Coleman, tells the teachers that some classes must merge because of a teacher shortage. Unfortunately, Melissa Schemmenti’s class happens to be one of them. After the merge, Melissa has a class of over 30 students in multiple grades.

The plot continues in Abbott Elementary season 2, episode 3, “Story Samurai,” when the narrative portrays Melissa genuinely struggling with teaching so many kids at once. It highlights the real issue that teacher shortages cause and how the students are the most affected. Melissa cannot give her students the proper care and attention they deserve because she has so many of them. Melissa eventually accepts a teaching aide, but it does not fix the issue. It is imperative that the education system examines the causes of teacher shortages and implements additional resources to avoid overcrowded classrooms.

7 Season 2, Episode 7: “Attack Ad”

Charter Schools Hurt Public Schools

In Abbott Elementary season 2, episode 7, “Attack Ad,” a new commercial painting Abbott Elementary School in a negative light to support charter schools throws off the teachers. This episode marks the beginning of a season-long arc involving Barbara’s former student, Draemond Winding, championing to turn Abbott Elementary School into a charter school. It is one of Abbott Elementary‘s most critical stories because it highlights the threat charter schools pose to public education. Although charter schools work well for some students—including Draemond—there are more negative than positive aspects.

Charter schools often receive more resources than the public education system. Abbott Elementary also points out that charter schools do not accept struggling students. Teachers cannot plan their own curriculum and educate their students in the best way possible. Thankfully, Abbott Elementary School won the fight against Draemond’s Legendary Charter Schools. However, this storyline proves that charter schools are not always the better option. They can be helpful, but they come at the expense of public schools, and they do not always prioritize the teachers and students.

6 Season 2, Episode 20: “Educator Of The Year”

The Balance Between Parents & Teachers

In Abbott Elementary season 2, episode 20, “Educator of the Year,” Janine encounters an unexpected hurdle with a student’s parent. After having trouble with her student, Deshaun, who has been misbehaving all year, Janine sets up a meeting with Deshaun’s mother to discuss his disruptive behavior. However, the meeting quickly turns sour once Deshaun’s mother deems it a waste of time and calls Janine the worst teacher ever. After almost two seasons of Abbott Elementary, it is absurd that anyone would think Janine is a bad teacher, but the experience provides an important lesson that Barbara reiterates in the episode.

There will always be people who do not think a teacher is good enough for their child and dislike a teacher’s methods. However, Janine made an excellent point—parents and teachers must work as a team to ensure the best possible outcome for the students. Janine tries her best with Deshaun, and she can only keep trying to get through to him, even without his mother’s cooperation. This situation does not make Janine a bad teacher—if anything, Janine recognizes the importance of the parent-teacher balance in shaping a student’s life, which makes her an excellent educator.

5 Season 2, Episode 21: “Mom”

Teachers Are Often Underpaid

In Abbott Elementary season 2, episode 21, Janine’s mother unexpectedly visits her daughter at school. Although the episode focuses on their relationship, there are some undertones of a storyline that has been building since the beginning of the show and continues to build after this episode. Janine’s financial difficulty with her mother is part of a bigger issue—a teacher’s salary is often abysmal. Janine has been a teacher for several years now, and although she had a partner most of that time, she could only afford a weekend getaway without money to spare.

It should not be this difficult for Janine to obtain an inexpensive weekend getaway unless her wages are low. According to Teachers Of Tomorrow, there is a teacher shortage because they work long, time-consuming hours only to receive very little money. Janine puts in so much effort, dedicating most of her time to her job, and she still struggles financially because of her low wages. People are no longer interested in becoming educators because of these factors. The education system needs to improve how it treats its teachers. Teachers’ wages must rise significantly to end these shortages.

4 Season 3, Episode 3: “Gregory’s Garden Goofballs”

How Students’ Issues & Disabilities Are Treated

Abbott Elementary season 3, episode 3, “Gregory’s Garden Goofballs,” portrays Janine’s attempt to get an ASL interpreter for one of the students at Abbott Elementary School. While Janine succeeds, the show highlights how difficult school districts are when accommodating differently abled students. Janine is successful because she never gives up and finds creative solutions. However, in an average situation, the student might never have received an ASL interpreter because the education system limits itself. It is more critical than ever for school districts to step up for these students and provide them with the opportunities every child deserves.

3 Season 3, Episode 4: “Smoking”

Different Teaching Methods

In Abbott Elementary season 3, episode 4, “Smoking,” Janine struggles with accepting a substitute teacher for her class. Janine now works at the school district in Washington DC as part of her fellowship, which requires a substitute teacher for her second-grade class. When Janine visits one day, she discovers the substitute’s teaching methods are strange. However, unconventional teaching methods do not make the educator any less qualified. All teachers determine the methods that work best for them and their students. The substitute’s teaching methods are unique, just like Janine’s and every other teacher’s.

2 Season 3, Episode 6: “Willard R. Abbott”

Racism In Education

Abbott Elementary tackles one of the most delicate subjects in education in season 3, episode 6, “Willard R. Abbott”: racism. The school receives the honor of a historical landmark because of its namesake. However, it turns out that Willard R. Abbott was a segregationist. Despite attempting to find another Willard R. Abbott to honor, Abbott Elementary School fails to become a historical landmark by the end of the episode. However, “Willard R. Abbott” provides an essential story. Racism is embedded in American history, and the public school system is not immune to that fact.

Most school districts will rename their schools only after receiving criticism because they care more about the optics than the system that honored racist historical figures in the first place. Janine eventually realizes that Abbott Elementary School does not need a plaque to be special because it is the teachers and students who show up every day that make the school unique. That is why Abbott Elementary School was the first school to employ a group of Black teachers. However, racism is still prevalent in the education system, and the fight for change must endure.

1 Season 3, Episode 12: “Mother’s Day”

Lack Of Funding For School Events & Projects

In Abbott Elementary season 3, episode 12, “Mother’s Day,” Jacob Hill struggles to fund a field trip to the Natural History Museum. While field trips are not the focal point of education, they are still critical and provide an excellent learning experience for students. Although Jacob found another field trip outing that would be free of charge, public schools often do not receive appropriate funds that allow their students to receive the best possible education. There must be more funding for various educational endeavors because the lack of funding is one of the reasons why public schools often struggle.

Source: Teachers of Tomorrow