“Abbott Elementary” follows the lives of public school teachers in Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of ABC. 

SADIA KHATRI | OPINION COLUMNIST | sskhatri@butler.edu 

The award-winning sitcom “Abbott Elementary” has returned. Created by Quinta Brunson, the beloved show follows the lives of public school teachers at a predominantly Black elementary school in Philadelphia. In the tradition of “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation,” Abbott is a mockumentary-style workplace comedy. 

Sophomore health sciences major Emily Bobber is a fan of all things sitcom and finds “Abbott Elementary” a bit more unique than other workplace-style comedies. 

“[‘Abbott Elementary’] being in the context of a school is something that I hadn’t seen before in that genre,” Bobber said. “I definitely think that it gets a little deeper than some of those [other sitcoms], with the real-world issues that it addresses … We just see the genuine emotion from the teachers.”

Like many sitcoms, the show focuses on a cast of fascinating and delightful characters. Every member of the Abbott cast is complex and bright, with even the school’s janitor being a very memorable character. This aspect of the show is one that many fans enjoy. 

For Ali Mohamed, a senior biology and Spanish double major, the characterizations of the teachers stood out to him. 

“It’s showing teachers in a much more complex way,” Mohamed said. “Most shows about schools are focused on the students, and teachers are either really good or really bad. Here, every one of the teachers at Abbott, they all want to do the best for their students. They’re all good people.”

The teachers of Abbott are layered, yet relatable. The show makes it easy for the average viewer to truly understand the nuances of the American school system and the various challenges that teachers may face.

Katherine Wymer, a sophomore English and secondary middle education double major, shared that the show provides context and information about the reality of the American public education system for many schools.

“One part of the show that really surprised me is that all of these great teachers stick it out and they stay despite, I assume, their horrible incomes,” Wymer said. “And I know that’s a huge problem in the U.S. today … I think [‘Abbott Elementary’] shows us the importance of teachers who are willing to stick it out, despite poor funding and despite poor incomes and it shows us that every kid is worthy of the same care and the same funding just like any other, but … that is not necessarily what happens in reality.”

“Abbott Elementary” succeeds as a sitcom because of how it tackles important and relevant issues. It may be lighthearted, but the show provides valuable insight into the American education system. As a public elementary school, Abbott suffers the plight of many public schools in America, such as a lack of adequate funding and a shortage of teachers.  

A particular topic the show is focused on is the role of charter schools within the education system. Defined as a type of public school, charter schools still receive funding from the government but function independently. 

A major plotline in the show is Abbott trying to protect itself from becoming a charter school. There are various episodes where the teachers and students work together in attempts to keep Abbott a public school.

“It’s just really out of their control, but they still try everything they can to not let [Abbott become a charter school],” Bobber said. “The teachers try to round up the community to support [them].”

Ultimately, “Abbott Elementary” remains a public school and is not taken over by the nearby charter school. The parents and families of Abbott grow concerned about the school becoming a charter when they realize that their children are not guaranteed admission into the charter school. When charters are faced with a large number of applications that exceed the number of available seats, they are required to use a lottery system to determine which students will receive admission, though this was not the case in the show. 

Charters may seem like a viable option for families that cannot afford a private school but still want their children to receive a high-quality education. Ensuring all children have equitable access to good education is crucial, and finances should not be a major obstacle, but charter schools simply are not the answer. 

“One thing that I noticed … [regarding] some kids not even being able to get in [to charter schools] is that it prioritizes a certain type of student over another,” Wymer said. “That can lead to a lot of confidence issues later on in kids and make them feel like they’re not worthy of the same education as other kids.”

The populations of charter schools are often racially skewed, with most students being Black or Hispanic. However, the nature of charter schools often leads to the students becoming more isolated, which furthers any existing segregation.  

Brunson does not shy away from discussing the complexities of charter schools and their potential harms. Through the fun medium of a sitcom, “Abbott Elementary” raises important concerns about what role charter schools truly play within the American school system. 

Like many things in America, race and socioeconomic class play a large role in an individual’s experiences, and schooling is no different. “Abbott Elementary” portrays the intricacies of how race can impact a person’s experience in a refreshing way, especially through the character dynamics.

The show succeeds because of how smoothly it incorporates comedy and concepts relating to the American education system, while also masterfully balancing how race plays an important factor in the characters’ lives. 

For Mohamed, “Abbott Elementary” works because of how it portrays the realities of the communities it depicts. 

“That’s what the show does really well,” Mohamed said. “It still gets these messages across about how [they are] living in this predominantly Black area and in this [school] district that’s not funded well at all … It’s done in a way where they still get the message across, especially through Jacob’s character … who’s trying to be this ally and trying to go above and beyond, but he’s almost too aware that he’s the only white teacher at a predominantly Black school.” 

“Abbott Elementary” and Brunson depict the complexities of the American education system in a way that is easily digestible for audiences. The show succeeds where other sitcoms sometimes fall short. It provides its audience with substantial and relevant issues to think about, while still providing laughs. With characters that are easy to root for and dialogue that is playful and witty, it is no surprise that “Abbott Elementary” is so well-loved.