Key points:
- New teachers look at engagement differently–and Abbot Elementary is spot-on in its depictions of new and seasoned educators
- The show also highlights student engagement and teacher support as critical parts of a new teacher’s journey
- See related article: 5 strategies for first-year special education teachers
Abbott Elementary has been widely beloved since its conception, and for good reason. Like many current and former educators, I’ve loved watching the sitcom for the smart humor and great characters, but also for how accurately it represents so much of what I experienced during my time as a teacher, academic coach, and principal.
There has never been a show that so successfully captures the joy of teaching while simultaneously depicting the challenges, heartaches, and relationships that come with it. One really important thing Abbott does well is highlight the major differences between how newer and more experienced teachers approach engagement, and how new teachers grow as they learn new strategies and practice their skills to increase student engagement.
New teachers’ high expectations of themselves
In a study conducted last year, 96.9 percent of teachers said they used teacher caring and relationships as an engagement tactic often or very often. When I was an instructional coach, the teachers I worked with knew how important it was to build strong relationships with their students. As a result, teachers would strive to go above and beyond to show how much they care about their students. This resulted in spending a lot of time on activities that didn’t always result in student engagement, without realizing both can be done simultaneously. It’s a massive challenge, particularly for busy teachers trying to move the needle academically.
When I watch Abbott Elementary, one thing that stands out is seeing the less tenured teachers – Gregory, Janine, and Jacob – hold themselves to extremely high standards, but not always knowing the best strategies to effectively engage their students. In the Season 2 episode “Read-A-Thon,” we see this front and center. Jacob wants to create a podcast club. He dedicates a lot of his free time outside of the classroom and demonstrates significant effort to connect with his students through the creation of the new club.
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