Abbott Elementary

New, memorable television series hits home by keeping it real.

Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary-style sitcom set in an underfunded inner-city public school where devoted teachers attempt to make a difference in their students’ lives. The school’s staff is comprised of colorful characters who ensure that each episode is laugh-out-loud funny.

According to series creator and star Quinta Brunson, “Everybody’s got potent memories and points of reference for that time in their life: the teachers we had, the crap we ate, the joy and heartbreak of those days… we were all there.”

Brunson plays Janine Teagues, a second-grade teacher who never shies away from doing whatever is necessary for her students, or fellow staff members. Yet Abbott’s principal, Ava Coleman (played by Janelle James), routinely demonstrates she isn’t the most qualified for the job.

Abbott Elementary successfully captures the realities of working in a city public school. When the school’s power system fails, we discover that the schools janitor has created a labeling system for the fuse box using Boys II Men songs. In another episode, Barbara Howard, a well-respected, old-school teacher played by Sheryl Lee Ralph, has trouble admitting she doesn’t understand new tech devices.

The show also offers plenty of real-world commentary. You don’t have to work in a school to relate to how passionate many teachers are despite all the struggles and grief they manage to handle every day.

During an interview on NPR, Quinta Brunson stated that when the show became an unexpected hit, she and the rest of the producers decided to take some of the money that had been budgeted for advertising and other marketing and use it to buy supplies for real teachers. Brunson said, “It’s about being able to make those kinds of decisions that really excite me, things that can really materially help people.”