After an arduous five-month hiatus, the doors of Abbott Elementary have finally swung open once more, perfectly timed to greet the crisp autumnal air on the first day of the season. Following Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph's stunning Emmy triumphs, my anticipation for a full complement of 22 episodes at my beloved Philadelphia public school has reached fever pitch. The summer months for the staff and faculty of Abbott unfolded with amusing predictability: Jacob embarked on a Peruvian adventure and mastered ASL, Ava inspired a hookah flavor named in her honor, Melissa savored Jersey Shore moments with her beau Gary, Barbara sailed off on an all-inclusive cruise to Jamaica, and Janine grappled with the reality of life sans Tariq, albeit somewhat convincingly denial-clad. "Adjusting" might be a generous term, as Janine strives to persuade both the world and herself that the split hasn't and won't mar her existence. She kicks off this academic year with a renewed slate and a fresh role, mirroring my own sentiment whenever I switch from a side part to a middle one, feeling like a different me in an alternate universe.
The school year commences with Development Week, a pivotal period where educators prepare their classrooms to welcome students. True to Ava's character, she launches this week with an 8 a.m. Eagles gameday tailgate (complete with paid parking, naturally). Post-barbecue breakfast indulgence, Ava hosts an orientation for the Abbott teachers. In a nod to Michael Scott's infamous slideshow faux pas featuring a vacation pic with Jan, Ava inadvertently commences her slideshow with two badass snapshots of herself, ensuring Gregory catches the glimpse. She unveils Janine's contribution to Development Week: a teachers' mixer highlighted by a "Wisdom Swap" segment, where veteran educators impart wisdom to their younger counterparts, an idea met with derision from Barbara and Melissa. Determined to embody a new persona this year, Janine puffs her chest out and, shunning validation, declares, "I don't need to change your minds; it's mandatory. So, I'll see you there," earning the respect of Barbara and Melissa.
In addition to the mixer, Jacob will conduct an ASL course, flexing his newfound skills inspired by CODA. I had missed Jacob's endearing innocence. Though still mastering the language (at least now he knows knocking requires hearing), his ASL proves handy by episode's end when a deaf student enrolls. Accessibility serves as a recurring theme throughout the episode and the series, with Barbara thrilled to create an accessible environment for a wheelchair-bound new student. While assisting Ava in allocating the grant funds received in the season-one finale, Barbara ensured part of the money went towards installing a ramp at the school. Her next mission is to procure a suitable desk accommodating the wheelchair. Abbott's portrayal of accessibility in a non-patronizing, uplifting manner is something I adore. The season-one episode where Janine endeavors to establish a "gifted" program but learns to embrace the fact that everyone learns differently, yet equally respectfully, exemplifies the show's nuanced equity promotion.
Abbott masterfully weaves another layer into her narrative by highlighting the constraints of the American educational landscape, particularly focusing on the plight of underfunded inner-city public schools. This academic year, Melissa finds herself burdened with an augmented workload, managing a combined second- and third-grade classroom after a nearby charter school cherry-picked her brightest third-graders, leaving behind insufficient numbers to fill a standalone class. This quandary of heightened responsibilities coupled with scant resources echoes through schools nationwide. While Abbott Elementary fortunately绝缘s itself from the pandemic narrative (a relief, as I indulge in escapism through its confines), it does not shield us from the pervasive teacher burnout and stress that have intensified across the country. A survey conducted by the Alberta Teachers’ Association revealed that a startling one-third of educators surveyed harbored uncertainties about returning to the classroom. These heightened levels of stress and anxiety were prevalent even before COVID-19's advent, and they are aptly mirrored within the halls of Abbott; one session during Development Week is dedicated to mental health upkeep, underscoring the urgency of this issue.
A significant catalyst for this teacher burnout is the relentless pressure to pack an immense workload into a compressed timeframe, all while grappling with scant resources. Gregory, embodying the archetypal type-A personality, struggles immensely with this reality. He unloads his frustrations regarding the first-grade curriculum onto Barbara, to which she responds with a resigned, "Welcome to the Philly public-school system, where you're always wanting for essentials." His solution? Micromanaging to the point of setting unachievable expectations, meticulously planning the school year down to the minute on his expansive whiteboard calendar. His meticulous, almost obsessive strategies earn him an intervention from Barbara, who highlights the myriad ways Murphy's Law could derail his impeccable plans: what if illness sweeps through the class, causing absences? What if a student requires more time to grasp a concept? What if a snow day is declared? Ironically, despite initially mocking Janine's idea of imparting wisdom, Barbara finds herself echoing that very sentiment.
Gradually, Gregory softens to the idea of surrendering some control. He arrives at the epiphany that "chaos reigns, and we all ultimately lose," but he accepts this as a necessary first step towards mindfulness. Barbara, once again stepping into her mentor role, imparts her wisdom to Gregory. She asserts, "Teaching is being charged with the impossible, year after year, and our sole remedy is to show up daily and give our best." He rejects this notion as unfair, to which she concurs but reminds him that there's little else they can do but persevere, just as she did with the ramp. Gregory, ever the thoughtful soul, harnesses his attention to detail productively. Recalling Barbara's mention of students in wheelchairs having attended Abbott in the past, he searches through storage and unearths an appropriate desk, surprising her with his thoughtful gesture.
Janine finds herself in dire need of support and guidance, grappling with the aftermath of her breakup with Tariq. The financial strain has become unbearable, as she now solely shoulders the rent burden—a responsibility they once shared with an 80/20 split, where Tariq contributed the smaller 20 percent. Her salary alone proves insufficient to maintain her lifestyle, leaving her three months behind on rent and evading her landlord's persistent calls and emails with increasing desperation.
When Jacob chances upon one of these urgent messages on her computer while searching for a video, his immediate concern prompts him to inquire about her welfare. Yet, Janine, embarrassed and unwilling to admit her post-breakup struggles, dismisses his worries with a wave of her hand. Undeterred, Jacob seeks out Gregory, hoping to persuade Janine to open up, but she stubbornly maintains that her exchanges with her landlord are merely a misunderstanding.
In an attempt to drown her sorrows and distractions, Janine throws herself headlong into her work, even orchestrating an event that she believes will brighten the school's first day—the visit of Gritty, the beloved mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers. Gritty's charm is widespread throughout the city, and the school buzzes with anticipation. Gregory, however, remains unmoved by the mascot's appeal, a sentiment I share albeit appreciating their infectious excitement.
Tragically for Janine, her well-intentioned gesture backfires when she inadvertently schedules Gritty's appearance for the teachers' first day rather than the students'. To compound her woes, her car gets towed due to unpaid parking tickets left behind by Tariq, which she had habitually covered but recently decided to halt in a misguided attempt at maturity. The cumulative weight of these misfortunes finally cracks Janine's façade, prompting her to confess her hardships.
Her coworkers, sensing her vulnerability, rally around her. Jacob generously lends her money earmarked for his student loan repayments, while Melissa offers heartfelt advice that resonates deeply: "You must navigate through it, not around it. Remember, you're at the beginning of your journey, not the end."
