Teaching is hard. It's a job that can only be described as a public service, but teachers rarely get the respect they deserve. In recent years, new sitcoms focus on this under-represented group, creating laughs while highlighting the struggles of the profession.
In 2021, mockumentary sitcom "Abbott Elementary" aired and exploded in popularity. The show explores the day-to-day of being an educator serving a predominantly Black population of students while being extremely underfunded by the state.
With 24 nominations and 4 Emmys in 3 years, "Abbott Elementary" is praised for its dedication to Black educators and for displaying their stories in a new light.
Sopheiah Jones-Fitzgerald, a student-teacher studying elementary education, finds herself represented in "Abbott Elementary" not just as a teacher, but as a person.
"Being an African American woman, I finally feel that we're represented in the media in a good way," Jones-Fitzgerald said. "It's reality, but also mixed with comedy in the best way possible. Also letting people know we're not just teachers, we're humans too."
In a similar vein to "Abbott Elementary," in September, FX released the show "English Teacher." The comedy-drama, created by Brian Jordan Alvarez, stars him as an English teacher in Texas. He navigates teaching a new generation of high school students while balancing his personal life as one of the only queer teachers at the school.
The show is timely in its pop culture references and relevant to current challenges facing teachers, like the use of AI or navigating difficult conversations with students. "English Teacher" highlights the wide range of situations teachers find themselves in.
It's topical that teachers receive this pop-culture spotlight now, as social constructs of the job are ever-evolving.
Ty’Anna Porter is a junior studying early childhood education with a minor in special education. In her student teaching, she has found that both student and parent behavior has contributed to school issues.
"I definitely think that there has been a major shift, and I feel like that is both from not being around their peers and being able to get that social learning, as well as just parents," Porter said. "I don't necessarily want to say discipline, but kind of having those talks with them and just checking in with their child."
Brenda Vargas, director of student and community engagement for the Tempe Elementary School District said in a presentation that in elementary and middle schools, aggression, disrespect and defiance are the most common behavioral issues.
"It's just been different since 2020," Vargas said. "We have different needs now that have been exposed, and vulnerabilities and lots of barriers being exposed, in comparison to prior to 2020."
Though teachers agree these troubles should be covered, they can't be the only reflection we see.
"For me, being an educator means being able to provide a second home for these students, because school is sometimes all these kids have to get away from whatever's going on at home," Porter said. "Creating a safe and inclusive environment, highlighting, fostering and connecting with new students."
Teachers want people to know that teaching is a complicated job, but it is also joyous. They want students, parents and the media to see how amazing it can be.
"I feel like it's a special place,” said Jones-Fitzgerald. "It's always a learning opportunity from a teacher perspective and a student perspective, just because teachers think, 'You know what, I'm the leader.' A lot of time, you're still the student, because you're learning from your kids all day, every day."
Edited by Andrew Dirst, Sophia Ramirez, Tiya Talwar and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at jagon128@asu.edu
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Jazlyn is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication. This is her first semester with The State Press. She has also worked at Blaze Radio.
