ABC’s Abbott Elementary is undoubtedly the best new comedy of the year, and it’s entirely because of its wholesome, thoughtful approach to teaching. Despite the fact that the majority of us viewing are no longer in elementary school, there’s something special for us to take away every week. If nothing else, then there’s an opportunity to continue appreciating teachers.
This week, however, Abbott Elementary’s “Gifted Program” did something different, prompting me to get a little personal. It touched on my frustration and anger from my own experiences through Tyler James Williams’ Gregory Eddie. When a new student from another school’s gifted program comes to Abbott, the teachers look into incorporating more lessons in their curriculums to involve other gifted kids.
On paper, it sounds like a solid plan—reward the kids who showcase their talents to step ahead. We saw another form of it last week with Janine trying to find ways to get through a misbehaving student like Courtney. It’s a great plan, and a steady approach, but what about the kids who aren’t traditionally gifted? What about the kids who suffer from so much test anxiety they could never show their true potential in a classroom setting? Abbott Elementary’s “Gifted Program” understands exactly what this means by the end of the episode, and there’s something incredibly special about this.
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