海角大神

Few professions seamlessly weave celebrity and community together the way teaching does. That is part of the charm of 鈥淎bbott Elementary,鈥� which debuts its Season Two tonight.聽Even as the sitcom receives numerous awards for its relevant writing and performances, it still retains a refreshing humility.聽

That down-to-earth spirit reminds me of my personal Abbott 鈥� North Aiken Elementary School in Aiken, South Carolina. Even though the brick building where I attended grade school was razed years ago to make room for expansion of the nearby high school, I can still see the 鈥渉ome of the Bears鈥� vividly. I remember the 30-minute rides to school, the kickball field, and the merry-go-round that might fly into space if not for a rickety pole keeping it grounded.

I remember the assemblage of talent that would shape my life and the lives of my friends forever. I was a teacher鈥檚 kid, so I knew the secret 鈥� teachers could do anything. I hosted a school talent show when I was in third grade, and one of the acts was my mom. She did an amazing cover of Whitney Houston鈥檚 鈥淚 Have Nothing,鈥� which I remember well, because I was so self-conscious about being a teacher鈥檚 kid that I didn鈥檛 introduce her as my mom.

Whereas my favorite subjects are math and history, the strength in 鈥淎bbott鈥� is its chemistry 鈥� not just with its cast, but with the ability to incorporate grace and glamour into inglorious circumstances.

The cast is truly lovable, from showrunner, creative genius, and star Quinta Brunson to Tyler James Williams of 鈥淓verybody Hates Chris鈥� fame, and comedian Janelle James, among others. Their off-screen synergy might match their on-screen timing as they accompany one another to various awards shows, rooting for one another as if they are up for education鈥檚 coveted 鈥渢eacher of the year鈥� recognition.

It鈥檚 fitting that Ms. Brunson is also a teacher鈥檚 kid 鈥� her rise from meme maiden to sitcom queen is what happens when the mischievous kid in school turns cleverness into a career.聽

Sheryl Lee Ralph鈥檚 depiction of teacher Barbara Howard reminds me of my mother. Long before Ms. Ralph played a motherly role to Ms. Brunson鈥檚 character, to the students in 鈥淎bbott,鈥� and even to the title character in 鈥淢oesha鈥� (portrayed by Brandy Norwood), she was an iconic Black starlet in 鈥淒reamgirls.鈥� Glamour with grace.

If beauty and patience seem like terms far away from the current state of public education, that is certainly understandable. Teacher shortages, gun violence, and educational inequities heightened by the pandemic are further squeezing an already strained system. 鈥淎bbott鈥� gets that as well, as evidenced by its contributions to underfunded schools.

Still, generous donations alone don鈥檛 constitute culture. What 鈥淎bbott鈥� offers at this moment is a safe space, not only for imagining how to overcome adversity in education, but also for rethinking the balance between entertainment and empowerment.

Even with that crazy carousel and my own striking resemblance to America鈥檚 favorite nerd, North Aiken was still a haven. I could be found in a computer lab, playing an assortment of games like Oregon Trail and Carmen Sandiego. North Aiken was an 鈥渦nderfunded鈥� school like Abbott, but it never seemed that way, because my mom and her colleagues made it feel like home for us.

I miss those times, not just in the context of adulthood, but with the tragedies of Sandy Hook and Uvalde in our midst. Public education needs a morale boost, and if the high jinks and hope of Hollywood teachers can provide a moment of relief from some of that misfortune, that is a win. If we can make role models out of athletes, why not make heroes out of our teachers again?

I am looking forward to tonight鈥檚 Season Two premiere of 鈥淎bbott Elementary鈥� with the anticipation of a kid ready for the first day of school 鈥� clothes ironed and shoes laid out. I鈥檓 also thinking about the influence of unsung teachers who make our society what it is, and how we should take every opportunity to celebrate the mutuality between the learning teacher and the masterful student.

Mr. Williams described this dynamic perfectly last week in a tribute to Ms. Ralph鈥檚 Emmy win, where he graciously helped her to the stage to receive her award.聽

鈥淣o matter how old or grown we get NEVER forget those who paved the road that you have the privilege of walking on today,鈥� Mr. Williams wrote on Instagram after the awards show. 鈥淎nd if the time comes and you so happen to have the honor, walk them down that same road to their flowers.鈥�