WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Abbott Elementary seasons 1 & 2.Season 1 of Emmys. After the second season premiered on September 21, viewership quadrupled for the sitcom, according to Variety. The mockumentary-style workplace comedy provides an honest look at some major problems facing teachers, and the show's biggest fans and critics have pointed out how relatable the storylines are on Reddit.
While many teachers and other viewers enjoy watching the show for its realistic characters, and find the scenarios cathartic, others claim the show is all too real and doesn't allow them to escape from the stress of their teaching jobs in their downtime. In either case, most Redditors can agree Abbott Elementary is full of relatable moments, even if some concepts (like having a nail appointment during lunch) are exaggerated for comedic effect.
Blackmail
Ava was named principal of Abbott Elementary after discovering the superintendent's affair and blackmailing him into hiring her for the position. This storyline appears outlandishly comedic because education is typically perceived as a wholesome profession, designed to shape young minds and provide students with a brighter future.
Unfortunately, some schools are riddled with corruption, nepotism, and occasionally, blackmail. Redditor FriendsCanKnowThis1 knows someone who works for a public school district and explains, "It's horrifying what sort of things are allowed... and the public never finds out." Blackmail may not be the most relatable plot of Abbott Elementary, but it is surprisingly grounded in reality.
Philadelphia Parking
Janine's careless ex-boyfriend, Tariq refused to acknowledge or take ability for his poor decisions, which often had a negative impact on Janine. In the season 2 premiere, Janine faces the consequences of Tariq's unpaid parking tickets, (since he had often driven Janine's car), which Redditor powlacracy finds all too relatable.
"Since Tariq was introduced, I waited for Janine's car to be towed or booted," powlacracy explains, "The Philadelphia Parking Authority is ruthless." Although not all Abbott Elementary fans live in Philly, the premise of paying for an ex's mistakes is incredibly relatable.
Cafeteria Regulations
After witnessing the unbalanced food options offered in the cafeteria, Barbara and Jacob decide to start a community garden at Abbott Elementary and present a nutritious zucchini dish to the cook in the cafeteria. He pretends to appreciate it, then proceeds to throw it away since cafeteria food must abide by stricter guidelines than the best reality cooking competitions.
Although Barbara and Jacob meant well, they didn't consider that the meals were not only restricted by the school's budget, but also by health and safety standards. Redditor MasterPrek asserts how relatable this storyline is by stating, "Cook at the cafeteria was spot on when he said his sanitation license will not allow anyone to bring or serve any other food."
Janine's Enthusiasm
In a lot of ways, Parks and Recreation.
Janine's enthusiasm is one of her most relatable qualities because fans can either relate to her or know someone who can match her boundless energy. Redditor taycibear its, "I was that overly enthusiastic person. I'm a teacher, and I've been Janine (am still like her but toned down lol)."
Budget Allocation
Abbott Elementary highlights financial dilemmas faced by many public schools, including a lack of funding for classroom supplies, educational programs, and computers. While some teachers have the perseverance of Barbara, the optimism of Janine, or the "connections" of Melissa, the most disheartening reality of the school budget is that teachers rarely have a say in how funding is allocated.
Ava's superficial changes to the school (like $3,000 banners) and her inability to see the bigger picture can make her seem like a horrible boss. But there are many teachers on Reddit who can easily relate to this problem, including Redditor LadyJR who explains, "Budget always goes to something no teacher wants. I have a supervisor who is exactly like Ava."
Lack Of Resources
Whether the teachers in Abbott Elementary are in need of new rugs for story time, or a ramp and a desk for a student in a wheelchair, they go above and beyond to try to find solutions for their students, even when it seems impossible. This same determination can be seen in thousands of real-world teachers, who make the best out of their limited resources.
The storylines about the lack of resources at Abbott Elementary led to mixed reactions from teachers on Reddit, like Redditor SpecialEducat0r, who explained, "Once I didn't get my student workbooks until a couple of weeks into the school year. As a teacher, I'm feeling demoralized, financially drained, and tired. What if Quinta saw that? What if somehow she got it - how teachers feel." Brunson is the daughter of a kindergarten teacher (per The New York Times), which adds an authenticity to the show that many fans find relatable.
Work/Life Balance
Although Abbott Elementary doesn't mention the pandemic, it does depict what can happen to teachers who are overworked, underpaid, and burnt out. The show highlights how essential teachers are, and how important it is to make time for a work/life balance. When the show returned for season 2, several teachers, including Barbara, Melissa, and Jacob shared how they spent their summer.
Taking time to unwind over the summer can help teachers reenergize before the new school year. Redditor UltraVioletKindaLove wishes she could globally broadcast one of Melissa's best quotes about work/life balance because, "they can't burn out, or there will be no one there for the kids." Melissa's quote and this storyline are deeply relatable for teachers, essential workers, and parents.
Petering Out
After a summer of lackluster dates with Barbara's daughter, Taylor, Gregory asks Jacob for advice on how to end the relationship in a way that won't hurt his work relationship with Barbara. Jacob suggests sending shorter and shorter texts to Taylor until their communication peters out, which Jacob believes is a humane alternative to ghosting her.
Even though fans were rooting for Gregory and Taylor's breakup, the inherent challenges of ending a relationship are relatable for anyone who watches Abbott Elementary, including Redditor ZohanDvir who its, "Petering out felt a little too close to home."
Picky Eaters Unite
Even Abbott Elementary have their quirks, but when Gregory reveals his disdain for pizza and other commonly loved foods, the other teachers can't wrap their heads around his unpopular preference for boiled chicken sandwiches. However, picky eaters on Reddit rejoiced when they saw Gregory's storyline because they finally felt seen.
One Reddit proclaimed, "I am a very picky eater and felt like Gregory so much... I have been bullied about it my whole life." Although it may be hard for some people to understand dietary restrictions or preferences that go against societal norms, for many fans of Abbott Elementary, this storyline was the one they related to the most.
Ava's Style Of Leadership
Most of the time Ava is quite literally 'too cool for school', and her lackadaisical attitude makes her appear unmotivated to make real changes at Abbott Elementary. Ava's history of blackmailing the superintendent, insulting and harassing her staff, and allocating funds to superficial items like banners and rims for the school bus, doesn't paint her in the best light as an elementary school principal.
But when her over-the-top persona is dialed back, it's clear that she cares about the students, even if it's not in the most conventional way. As Redditor ShineImmediate7801 explains, "I had a principal like Ava for a long time, and watching it playback is hilarious. I have to laugh at it, or I'll cry. But I do really relate to the show."
