Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson plays Janine Teagues on the new mockumentary sitcom. Janine is on a mission to provide resources to her students and tries to ensure that they receive an equitable education, so of course she runs into seemingly nothing but challenges while working in an underfunded school in Philadelphia.
Janine is in her second year of teaching and is highly enthusiastic about her vocation. While she navigates the halls and classrooms of Abbott, she has hilarious and heart-warming interactions with the other characters in the show. Brunson, who also executives produce and write for the show, delivers Janine’s words like a true veteran.
Her First Mission
"For primary classes, rugs are like a calming space for kids. It’s like a Xanax. Like a huge Xanax for kids to sit on."
Within the first two minutes of the premiere episode of Abbott Elementary, a student pees on the classroom rug. Viewers are introduced to Abbott Elementary's funding problems early on. The student decides to pee on the rug because the toilets don’t work. This gives Janine the inspiration for her first of many missions.
The rugs are essential to Janine, mainly because of one specific student. Amir naps on the rug every lunch period because he doesn’t get enough sleep at home. Initially, everyone thinks Janine is extreme in her asks, but they realize how much she cares and helps her get several rugs for the school.
She's Obsessed With Barbara
"Bye, Mom. I’m sorry. Ms. Howard. Bye, Ms. Howard."
It’s fun to watch the characters of Abbott Elementary work alongside each other. Janine will do anything to see her students succeed. On the other hand, Barbara Howard focuses on the things that are in her locus of control. Barbara is a veteran kindergarten teacher who creates a structured and loving environment for her students.
Janine looks up to Barbara and is often met with cynicism. There’s a lot to learn from Barbara and her effortless teaching. Barbara reminds Janine of her favorite teacher, who once wrote that Janine was clingy on her report card. Viewers can see the clinginess shine through her relationship with Barbara as she tries to get closer to her in every episode.
She's Resourceful
"There have been three presidents since this one. It’s an old book, so here’s where I taped the others."
Viewers get to learn what kind of teacher Janine is in the pilot episode of Abbott Elementary. She goes above and beyond for her students. Although the school is underfunded, Janine is resourceful and is determined to help her students.
Brunson originally wasn’t going to play Janine. “Abbott Elementary was pitched without me in it,” Brunson revealed to Insider. “There was no me in the project. I just saw it as a pure show idea that I wanted to be made.” The show wouldn’t be Abbott Elementary without Janine taping missing presidents to textbooks.
She Loves Metaphors
“Look at that: Crocodiles and parakeets can be friends.”
Principal Ava and Janine have a special relationship. Ava is usually annoyed by Janine’s constant proposals, but she was happy to help her with the step team. Barbara and Melissa told Janine it would be a terrible idea to collaborate with Ava because she’s selfish, but optimistic Janine was committed to the vision.
It didn’t look like teamwork could be achieved with the crocodile and parakeet pair. Their different teaching styles cause tension throughout the episode. When viewers think that it can’t be done, a rare heart-warming moment happens with Ava. They are as different as two people can be, but the unlikely duo managed to come together for the students.
The Walls Are The Soul
"I know that if this feels like you, you might be a serial killer."
Gregory took down all of the things the former teacher had hanging up in the classroom. Janine informs him that the walls are the soul of the classroom, and Greg’s classroom is empty. Janine’s persuasiveness moved Gregory to put up a few cliché motivational posters. After Janine’s second round of feedback, Gregory chose to hang his students’ drawings on the wall.
Fans are eagerly waiting to see what happens with Gregory and Janine. Romance is brewing between the two main characters, with some comparing them to Jim and Pam. Despite Gregory’s serious demeanor, he’s often caught stealing romantic glances at Janine. Gregory doesn't really care what other people think, but he accepts Janine's suggestions without hesitation.
The Gifted Program
"PIE: Perseverance, Ingenuity, and Effort. I love PIE. Even though I can’t eat it, though. Hurts my tummy. But I did try it for many years. That’s the perseverance part."
The Gifted Program is one of Janine’s first ideas that wasn’t discouraged. As a former gifted student, she’s set on having a program for Abbott’s students. With PIE instilled in her, she recruits Jacob to lead the program during his free periods.
Later in the episode, Janine realizes that the students who aren’t in the program feel left out. Her perseverance led her to get “chicken” eggs for her classroom, which turned out to be snakes. After the fiasco, they allow every student to participate in special activities and classes with Jacob every couple of weeks.
Introducing Mr. Johnson
"There is a 70-year-old custodian who voted for Kanye teaching social studies right now. "
One of the new teachers, Ms. Schwartz, is frantic and asks Ava for an aid. Ava reminds Ms. Schwartz that they don’t have any money for additional support. Janine advises her to try a counting exercise, but the teacher's day doesn’t end well.
Ms. Schwartz ends up kicking a student, which results in her getting fired. The staff believes that the district should be notified, but Ava thinks she has everything under control. This scene introduces viewers to the beloved custodian, Mr. Johnson, whose first lesson as a substitute is on the Illuminati.
She Doesn't Let Fear Stop Her
“The more senior teachers are just used to giving in, but I, however, am young, sprightly, and know where they keep the ladder. Forgot I was afraid of ladders."
Janine’s on a quest to fix everything, including a flickering light bulb that reminds students of The Shining. Janine’s idealism causes more problems than solutions. Despite her fear of ladders, she climbs up and tinkers with a wire. Instead of fixing the light, she ends up causing a power outage.
Janine’s perseverance eventually causes her to pass out, which leads to words of advice from her colleagues. This episode didn’t just highlight Janine’s dedication to her students, it also scored ABC’s strongest comedy ratings since Modern Family.
She's A Fixer
"I don’t want to wait until somebody gets to it. You know, our children have needs that deserve to be met. And I’m going to fix this. And nothing is going to get in my way."
Janine’s drive makes Abbott Elementary one of the best tv shows about teachers. The antics she goes through to solve the everlasting issues in Abbott resemble the challenges many educators face. The show was named after Brunson’s 6th-grade teacher Joyce Abbott, who also believed that her students deserved the best.
“When you believe in them, you put in the work,” Abbott shared on Jimmy Kimmel Live. ”You should be able to come through these doors and get the quality of a private education, if not better.
She Represents The Best
“I don’t care if you think I’m good at this or not anymore. I care about whether or not I can make a change."
This sums up who Janine is as a teacher. She’s trying her best despite the odds stacked against her. Aging school facilities, lack of resources, and teacher shortages don’t stop Janine from giving her students her all.
Janine is a hardworking advocate for her students. What makes this character unique is that Janine represents the best of teachers. “Even for teachers who have been doing this for 20 years and are tired in this role,” Brunson shared with the A.V. Club. “I hope they go. ‘Oh man, this show makes me want to be a teacher again.’”