Which Abbott Elementary Teacher Are You? [QUIZ]

Posted April 22, 2022 in Fun, Quiz, Teacher Wellness

How many television series paint an authentic portrait of the teaching experience? Not a lot, if we’re being candid. Though no fictional account can illustrate an educator’s exact experience, we think Abbott Elementary gets closest to depicting the real trials and triumphs of life in public schools.

That’s because the show follows the hijinks of faculty members who do whatever it takes to ensure that students get the education they deserve. While the writers might exaggerate the characteristics for comedic effect, we think that Janine, Barbara, Jacob, Melissa, and Gregory represent the grit and good nature it takes to be a good teacher.

So, which Abbott Elementary teacher are you?

Choose your perfect day in the classroom:

Every kid learns and grows in a sustainable way.

Everyone in the classroom gives and receives respect.

Kids have a good time while not realizing that they’re learning.

You use your classroom savviness to perfectly navigate all obstacles.

Students realize that failure is opportunity in disguise.

What does your school need most?

Funding

Teacher autonomy

Equitable resources

Resilience

An understanding group of administrators

What does effective classroom management mean?

Kids get everything they need, even if those resources happen on your dime.

You use years of experience to find out what works.

You never have to take yourself so seriously, even though you’re the teacher.

You teach the lessons you want, even if you use sneaky means.

Leaders support and encourage teachers.

Choose one of these fictional characters:

Mary Poppins

Jean-Luc Picard

Captain Planet

Rocky Balboa

Jim Halpert

Which of these best describes a personal quirk?

Even though you’re forced to, you try too hard.

You never deviate from what’s worked in the past.

Eh, perhaps you’re a bit awkward in social situations.

Your past has toughened you up a bit too much.

You’re too nice about people taking advantage.

What’s your default setting?

Optimism

Experienced

Awkward

Wily

Determined

Which Abbott Elementary Teacher Are You?

Janine Teagues

Equal parts softhearted and industrious, the first season finds Ms. Janine Teagues entering her second year teaching at Abbott Elementary. It’s a disservice to chalk up her infectious optimism and enthusiasm for teaching second graders to a new educator’s naivete. To be clear, while she’s a golden-hearted do-gooder in the classroom, she remains well aware of the flaws inherent with public education’s financial allocation system.

Most teachers have a little Janine in their personality. I mean, who becomes a teacher because they want to make the world a worse place? Teachers like you place kindness and enthusiasm for learning at the forefront of every move they make in the classroom. We’re glad you exist.

Barbara Howard

Some may label Ms. Barbara Howard a loner, though we prefer the term “independent.” She’s taught kindergarten for years, which has given her the veteran skill set it takes to run that impossibly orderly classroom of hers. Ms. Howard knows that it’s unlikely she’ll gain access to the resources wealthier districts receive, so she makes do with the pedagogical tools she’s perfected over time.

Don’t let the tough love schtick fool you — Barbara will always lend greener teachers a helping hand. We bet the second part of that sentence describes you as a teacher. In other words, you’re generous with your time and knowledge with both your students and your colleagues.

Jacob Hill

Another new teacher at Abbott Elementary, Mr. Jacob Hill begins his classroom career propelled by sheer earnestness. He remains aware of what students and his fellow teachers face working within an underfunded system. To that extent, he knows the unjustified socioeconomic circumstances that landed everyone in such an adverse situation.

Side bar: Perhaps Mr. Hill is a little, shall we say, loose with classroom management. Hey, it's Abbott Elementary School, not Shawshank State Prison.

Since you got Jacob Hill, one thing remains clear: You care about the kids you teach. You’re aware of their struggles, and you know that teachers are there to help them navigate the trickier parts of life. Maybe you have a wee bit of awkwardness in your presentation, but rest assured that your friends and colleagues consider it unalterably charming.

Melissa Schemmenti

For this character, the show’s writers riff on a certain archetype: the tough-talking inner-city teacher who has earned enough favors to secure the supplies her kids need. In other words, Melissa Schemmenti has connections, and you better believe she uses them.

If you’re a fan of the show, you know the scripts never whitewash the tumultuous experiences that teachers have in the classroom and at the administrative level. If you’re like Ms. Schemmenti, you recognize that reality and still manage to circumnavigate it for a more favorable reality. In spite of the hurdles that seem to grow taller every year, you do what you have to do to make sure that your students receive the education they deserve.

Gregory Eddie

Ah yes, Mr. Gregory Eddie. While he was going to be Abbott Elementary’s new principal, nefarious circumstances prevented him from landing the gig. Instead, he works as a permanent substitute, a position for which every teacher we’ve met feels eternally grateful.

If you got Gregory Eddie, you don’t see setbacks; you see opportunities to help. Adaptability blended with positivity provides the perfect balance of teacherly attributes. We’re betting that combination describes your style in the classroom. In other words, you always rise to the occasion and never flinch even when the unexpected happens. You remain well aware of the fact that it is normal for unanticipated things to happen in the classroom.

Use PD to Take Care of Yourself.

Abbott Elementary isn’t real, but the drama the show contains isn’t too far-fetched. Let’s face it: Sometimes teachers get so busy, they forget to take care of themselves. And, if you want to be at your best, self-care is one of the most strategic routes you can take. Check out our self-care PD designed to help you feel great so that you can be an exceptional teacher:

Self-Care Strategies for Teachers : Teaching requires you to manage others’ feelings and behaviors every day, but are you taking time to manage your own? In this course, discover strategies to invest in yourself so you can create a sustainable career in education.
Achieving a Work-Life Balance in Teaching : As with most jobs, teaching responsibilities can infiltrate your entire life if you let it. Having a work–life balance means feeling engaged, effective, and satisfied in each aspect of life. In this course, learn to be present and effective at school and beyond.
Stress Reduction for Better Teaching : Between lesson planning, communicating with parents, and working with colleagues, even the most practiced teacher can become overwhelmed. Explore how stress can impact your teaching and your health and how to manage your stress effectively in this course.
Becoming a Calm, Happy Teacher: Leave burnout, stress, and frustration behind for good. Get proven psychological tools to help you create a calmer, more balanced teaching career so you can be more present and energetic in every area of your life.
The Growth Mindset: Fostering Resilience and a Love of Learning: Mindset is a buzzword in today’s educational landscape, but it often addresses only students’ mindsets, not educators’. Explore your internalized beliefs about learning and your students’ abilities, and learn how to structure your classroom around a culture of perseverance and opportunity.

Advancement Courses offers more than 280 online, self-paced PD courses covering both foundational topics and emerging trends in K–12 education. Courses are available for both graduate and continuing education credit for your salary advancement or recertification needs.