Abbott Elementary is sure to be seen as one of the best feel-good sitcoms of the 2020s. Set in a Philadelphia elementary school, it follows a diverse group of teachers as they contend with the many problems that face educators in America, whether it be a lack of resources, hapless s who do more harm than good, or just the recalcitrance of students that don’t want to learn.
However, the series never loses sight of the fact that it’s the characters who make the magic, so it’s worth examining them through the interpretive lens provided by the signs and personality types of the zodiac.
Aries - Melissa Schemmenti
There are few signs that are more dynamic than the Aries. With their drive and their forceful personalities, they tend to bulldoze anyone who gets in their way. These are all traits that Melissa has in abundance. She’s the type of teacher who knows what needs to be done and will do it, and she does not suffer fools (or challenges to her authority or her know-how) lightly, whether that be from teachers, students or s.
Taurus - Mr. Johnson
Given that this is a comedy set in a school, it was inevitable that there would have to be at least one janitor. From the moment he appears, Mr. Johnson shows that he has all of the traits that one associates with the Taurus. He is, of course, more than a bit stubborn, and he doesn’t like it when people try to change the way that things are done in his school (even if they do so with the best of motivations).
Gemini - Barbara Howard
As a kindergarten teacher, Barbara isn’t the type of person who has time for foolishness or what she views as self-indulgence in others. As a result, there are times when she can be a bit harsh or seem cold. However, in true Gemini fashion, she shows that there is much more to her than that, and she is very often willing to give a helping hand to those who need it, whether that’s Jeanine or Gregory. She is sure to be seen as one of the best TV teachers.
Cancer - Jacob Hill
There are few teachers at Abbott Elementary more well meaning than Jacob. Like all Cancers, he really does care about other people and their needs, which is why he is always trying to do what he thinks is the right thing. However, it’s also true that there are moments when his own emotional needs take precedence, and it’s hard not to feel that he often does the thing that will make him feel better, even if it doesn’t help others.
Leo - Ava Coleman
There are few signs more dynamic and powerful than the Leo, which can sometimes outshine all of the other of the zodiac. They are also notoriously vain and very unwilling to see the flaws in themselves.
These are all traits that Ava Coleman has in abundance, for even though she has to recognize that she is not a terribly effective principal, she still barges ahead, often heedless of how badly her decisions affect those around her.
Virgo - Gregory Eddie
There are many things that characterize a Virgo, but one thing that sets them apart is their relentless practicality and orderly approach to almost any problem in life. These are all traits that Gregory repeatedly shows that he is. However, he often finds that his Virgo approach to life doesn’t always pan out very well when he is confronted with the specific challenges presented by an underfunded school like Abbott Elementary.
Libra - Janine Teagues
Part of what makes this series such a great feel-good sitcom is the presence of Janine, someone who really takes her job seriously. In many ways, she is the beating heart of the show, and she does everything that she can to both better the school and serve the students that she clearly loves so much. With her relentless focus on justice and on doing the best she can, she definitely fits into the mold presented by the Libra.
Scorpio - Melissa Schemmenti
Even though she has many of the traits of the Aries, it also has to be said that Melissa is also akin to many Scorpios. She has an edge to her that can make her a bit prickly, and she is not opposed to getting revenge on those that she thinks have wronged her.
Indeed, it is precisely her Scorpio nature that makes her such a great frenemy for Janine, particularly since the latter is so relentlessly optimistic.
Sagittarius - Ava Coleman
Sagittarius is known for being something of the party animal of the zodiac, and one always knows that it’s going to be a good time with them. Even though she can be somewhat irresponsible and is clearly not prepared to take on the burdens of being a high school principal, that doesn’t mean that Ava isn’t still a very funny character, which makes her a perfect fit for this sign of the zodiac.
Capricorn - Barbara Howard
In addition to showing some of the signs of being a Gemini, Barbara also shows that she has what it takes to be a Capricorn. Like all Capricorns, she can be at times cold and a little prickly, and she is definitely not afraid to tell people what she thinks of them, regardless of whether their feelings might get hurt in the process. However, she is also a loyal person, and she has the makings of one of the best teachers in a television series.
Aquarius - Gregory Eddie
One of the most noteworthy traits of the Aquarius is being enigmatic. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell just what they are thinking and how they look at the world. These are all traits that Gregory has in abundance. Though he clearly likes being a teacher, it’s often hard to tell just what he thinks about much of anything. Aside from everything else, however, he also shows that he has the Aquarius skill at mastering almost anything that he turns his hand to.
Pisces - Janine Teagues
As a water sign, Pisces are very in tune with emotions, both those of themselves and those of others. Janine is arguably one of the best characters in the show, and she has many things in common with Leslie Knope (who was arguably one of the most likable characters in Parks and Recreation). As a Pisces, she is always doing everything that she can to help others, even if doing so sometimes comes at her own expense.