Abbott Elementary: Real Teachers Share Relatable Moments

Abbott Elementary focuses on the challenges and rewards of teaching at a public school with limited resources. The teachers are deeply committed, working hard despite low pay and a lack of support from the district. Even with these difficulties, they come together as a team to improve the school for their students.

Many teachers have talked on Reddit about how accurately Abbott Elementary depicts the challenges of teaching in urban schools. Some have said the show is difficult to watch because it so closely mirrors their own experiences and the struggles they face at their schools.

Teachers on Reddit discussed moments from the show Abbott Elementary that really hit home, from personally buying classroom supplies to the ups and downs of meeting with parents.

A Poorly Funded City School

A major theme in Abbott Elementary, particularly during its first season, is the school’s severe lack of funding. Despite being one of the stronger schools in Philadelphia, it receives very little support from the school district. Several teachers shared on Reddit that they found the show relatable, as they’ve experienced similar challenges working in underfunded schools.

A Reddit user named MyCatIsNamedPeanut posted that the number of real-life events mirroring those on the show Abbott Elementary happening at their underfunded school is incredible. They joke that it’s as if the school is being secretly filmed for the show.

The show depicts Abbott Elementary’s staff working in run-down conditions – dim hallways, a dirty breakroom, and broken bathrooms. Principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James) constantly tries to get the school district to provide more funding, but the district is limited by the needs of all the schools it supports.

Abbott Elementary Is Low On Supplies

Image: ABC via MovieStillsDB

In the first season episode “Wish List,” Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) creates a video for social media, hoping it will get a lot of views and help her school. She shares a list of much-needed supplies – everything from scissors and notepads to other essentials – and asks other teachers to do the same.

Janine’s video quickly became very popular, largely because Ava is skilled with technology, and she eventually created one for Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph). The episode highlighted the limited resources teachers often have, which really connected with educators facing similar challenges.

Reddit user Sketcha_2000 found the series very relatable, particularly the scenes showing teachers working hard despite limited resources. Another user, DR-0717, echoed this sentiment, mentioning they often use their own money to buy supplies for their classroom.

It’s frustrating – teachers often end up paying for school supplies themselves. Parents sometimes complain about long supply lists, and I used to as well, but they don’t understand that if those supplies aren’t provided, teachers usually have to cover the cost because the school doesn’t have the money in its budget. And teachers aren’t exactly highly paid, so it adds up!

The Highs And Lows Of Parent-Teacher Conferences

It’s common for public schools in the US to hold meetings between parents and teachers. These meetings give them a chance to talk about a student’s progress.

In the second season episode “Teacher Conference,” Janine Teagues felt both excited and anxious. She tried to work with one student’s parents to get them more involved, but the meeting didn’t go as planned. The student’s mother was upset with how Janine handled the conversation and criticized her teaching style.

It’s difficult to see Janine so upset, because she’s usually very cheerful and positive. This particular scene really resonated with RLC237, who felt it mirrored the challenging interactions that sometimes happen between parents and teachers.

As a teacher, this show often feels relatable, and this episode was especially poignant. I found it really helpful to watch how things unfolded, and I know I’ll revisit it again and again.

Other teachers on Reddit praised the episode for realistically showing that things don’t always work out between teachers and parents. They noted that sometimes, despite a teacher’s best efforts, family situations don’t resolve peacefully, and it’s important for the teacher to stay focused on supporting the child.

Janine Teagues’ Optimism As A First-Year Teacher

Janine is a wonderfully optimistic and positive character. Even after two years of teaching, she remained determined to make a difference. Unlike some teachers in previous seasons who became discouraged and stopped trying to improve the school or challenge the district, Janine refused to give up.

In the fifth season, Janine remains hopeful, though she’s not quite as eager to take on extra work as before. Still, teachers on Reddit say they understand her drive to make a real difference for their students and schools.

A Reddit user commented that they strongly relate to the character Janine, explaining that they both strive to improve things for students and schools, even though it’s a difficult fight. Like Janine, they’ve found that the longer you teach, the more draining it can be – especially when you’re up against a lot of rules and bureaucracy.

The Disconnect Between The School District And The Teachers

A major theme in Abbott Elementary is the strained relationship between the teachers and the school district. In season 3, Janine takes a job with the district, hoping to bridge the gap and get the school the resources it desperately needs.

As an outsider looking in, I often wondered if the conflict between teachers and the district was as real as it seemed, or if it was all just exaggerated for dramatic effect. It felt like a storyline sometimes, and I questioned how much of it was genuine struggle versus manufactured tension.

A Reddit user, DR-0717, pointed out that school districts can’t always fulfill every request from teachers. They explained that schools with limited funding, like those in the Abbott district, often struggle to get things done due to budget constraints and a lack of resources.

Music19773, a school district employee, shared that the conflicts depicted in the series felt strangely satisfying, mirroring real-life challenges they’ve experienced. They also recognize the show’s themes might be deeply relatable – and potentially upsetting – for some viewers.

It brings to light some difficult realities and demonstrates the significant challenges teachers face in today’s schools.

Fortunately, the district had recently hired enthusiastic new staff eager to make improvements. They combined the two institutions, aiming for a better future.

Bad Principals Who Think They Could Teach Better

Image: ABC via MovieStillsDB

Ava, the principal of Abbott Elementary, is known for being fearlessly confident, though she’s still learning the ropes of her job. Although she becomes more polished in later seasons, she sometimes underestimates the challenges teachers face and doesn’t quite grasp why they often feel overwhelmed.

In the second season episode “Sick Day,” Ava steps in to cover Janine’s class when Janine is out sick with food poisoning. Even though Janine prepared a thorough guide for a substitute, Ava decided to teach the class her own way, despite not having any background in teaching.

Even though Ava can be self-centered, she’s quickly becoming the main leader at Abbott Elementary. On Reddit, a user named PianoAmy shared that many teachers find it very relatable to have a principal who doesn’t understand what they’re doing and isn’t good at their job.

While some found Ava’s leadership style too hands-off, other teachers actually liked it. One teacher, Preshusbabe, said they’d welcome a principal like Ava – someone who trusts teachers to manage their classrooms effectively without unnecessary interference, as long as the work gets done.

Sometimes Teachers Need To Take Second Jobs

ABC via MovieStillsDB

Gregory Eddie (played by Jesse Tyler Williams) hopes to become a school principal someday. Currently, he’s a first-grade teacher who also helps with his dad’s lawn care business during the summer. When he needed extra income in season four, he started driving for a ride-sharing service.

Many people were surprised to learn Gregory had to take on a second job, especially since he already worked full-time as a teacher. However, teachers on Reddit explained that those working in underfunded schools often don’t earn enough to make ends meet, so taking on extra work is unfortunately common.

Bashful_bookworm2025 explained that many teachers need to work second jobs to cover their expenses, as their income depends on the location and school where they teach.

The teachers at Abbott Elementary could likely earn more money at a different school, but they’re deeply committed to their students and make do with their current salaries to provide the best possible education.

2025-11-19 16:14