In the spring of 2020, shortly after the start of the pandemic, teachers were hailed as heroes whose superpowers took shape inside of computer screens instead of school buildings. By that winter, though, many educators reported that their favorable public reception had rapidly dwindled as schools and families warred over the return to in-person schooling.
Lack of public respect for the teaching profession isn鈥檛 a symptom of the pandemic, though it may have intensified over the past two years. Low pay and poor school building conditions are perennial issues.
Seeing these issues be brought to life in a mainstream TV show has offered some exhausted and anxious teachers comedic relief鈥攂ut more importantly, inspiration, representation, and hope for the future of teaching and learning.
鈥楩unny, relatable, and encouraging鈥�
Education Week reporter Ileana Najarro recently interviewed the creator and star of 鈥淎bbott Elementary,鈥� Quinta Brunson, about the new award-winning ABC show set in a fictional West Philadelphia public school. Brunson, whose mother who taught in Philadelphia, aims to 鈥淸capture] the nuances of the teaching profession, the significance of Black teachers and predominantly Black schools like Abbott, and the hope that the show can garner more support for real teachers across the country.鈥�
Here are some responses to 鈥淎bbott Elementary,鈥� which premiered in December 2021, from the very demographic the show wishes to honor: teachers.
鈥楽et aside for summer鈥�
Some educators took exception to a comedic framing of the teaching profession in 2022, especially considering the mile-high hurdles teachers must jump over during the pandemic.
鈥楾hank you for your service鈥�
Teachers aren鈥檛 the only viewers appreciating the show鈥檚 raw depiction of K-12 education. Some non-educators on Twitter voiced how the show鈥檚 transformed their view on teaching, reminding them of how difficult鈥攂ut necessary鈥攖he profession is.
鈥淚 want people to be moved to support schools and teachers in any way they can, whether that be to donate to a wish list, because that鈥檚 what people need right now,鈥� shared Brunson in her interview with Education Week.
鈥淭eachers are already fighting for change within the schools, but they鈥檙e also teaching so I think that citizens could offer a little bit more help,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so many things you can do to make sure that this show doesn鈥檛 exist anymore.鈥�
