10 Most Heartwarming Moments In Abbott Elementary

Although Abbott Elementary is undeniably hilarious, the show also has some truly heartwarming moments from time to time. Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters are universally lovable, even if they all have their relatable flaws. From Jacob’s messy love of drama to Melissa’s unabashed pugnacity to Principal Ava’s open corruption, each member of Abbott’s faculty has their unique problems. However, they are a great team, and storylines like Janine and Gregory’s Abbott Elementary romance prove that the show has heart to spare. In an era of darker dramedies like The Bear and Succession, Abbott Elementary has a welcome sweetness.

Even Abbott Elementary’s first Janine and Gregory fight was tempered by a reconciliation that proved the duo care more about each other than who was right or wrong. This sweet streak could easily become saccharine but, fortunately, the workplace sitcom also knows how to balance humor and heart. As a look back on the show’s sweetest scenes proves, Abbott Elementary always follows heartwarming moments up with a killer punchline. As a result, the series more than earns its critical acclaim and its reputation as one of the best sitcoms on network TV thanks to plots like Gregory and Janine’s relationship.

10 Janine Takes Gregory’s Advice For The Gifted Program, Season 1, Episode 6, “Gifted Program”

Janine And Gregory’s First Fight Made Their Friendship Stronger

In season 1, episode 6, “Gifted Program,” Janine initially can’t work out why Gregory has such a problem with her gifted program. As a former gifted child herself, Janine can only imagine that the program would have been a great incentive for her when she was still in school. Since Gregory is still his brooding, stoic season 1 self in this outing, it takes him a while to reveal his real issues with the idea. However, when Gregory tells Janine that gifted programs left him and other children feeling left out in school, she takes his advice on board in a sweet, small moment that cements the pair’s budding friendship.

9 Barbara Assesses Janine’s Library Program, Season 3, Episode 7, “Librarian”

Barbara Swallowed Her Pride And Strengthen Janine’s Fellowship

Throughout Abbott Elementary, Janine has often had to confront her hero worship of Barbara. Although she sees the older teacher as a mentor to her, this doesn’t change the fact that Abbott Elementary’s Barbara can be stubborn and often refuses to move with the times. Whether she is insisting that her students must bob for apples since it is a Halloween tradition or lying about understanding how to use the school’s new technology to save face, Barbara is frequently more concerned with her image and comfort than what is best for the students and her fellow teachers.

This issue reached its zenith in season 3, episode 7, “Librarian,” when Janine hired a new librarian to instigate a new system in the school library. This program was central to the success of Janine’s fellowship at the school district and all the teachers agreed it was an unqualified success, except one. Barbara threatened to give the program negative feedback to spite Janine for taking her out of her comfort zone, which is why it was deeply heartwarming to see Barbara swallow her pride and commend Janine’s library program in her heartfelt feedback from the end of the episode.

8 Barbara Saves Abbott Elementary, Season 1, Episode 12, “Ava vs. Superintendent”

Barbara Stepped Up When Ava’s Presentation Plans Fell Short

While Barbara might fall short of her Christian ideals at times, she has also been known to save her school in times of crisis. Near the end of Abbott Elementary season 1, Ava found herself in hot water when the superintendent she had been openly blackmailing left his wife and began dating his mistress. With no ammunition, Ava was at risk of being fired and even her surprisingly solid presentation to the superintendent didn’t help. Fortunately, Barbara got Abbott the funding that the school needed by threatening to expose an elder from her church who had been embezzling funds for years.

7 Janine and Ava Find Common Ground, Season 1, Episode 9, “Step Class”

Janine Buried Her Feud With The Principal In This Outing

Janine and Ava spent most of Abbott Elementary season 1 at odds with each other and, as funny as the zany principal is, it did feel like her treatment of Janine was unreasonable. However, season 1, episode 9, “Step Class,” afforded Janine new insight into Ava’s complicated personal life. The revelation that Ava helped out with her ailing grandmother was moving, and Janine and Ava’s subsequent truce and performance with the eponymous step class was a sweet moment. Since that moment, Abbott Elementary has proven Janine and Ava may not be so different after all, as they began working together.

6 Gregory Chooses Abbott Elementary (& Janine), Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot”

Gregory’s Earliest Decision To Stay Was Shaped By His Favorite Co-worker

Way back in season 1, episode 1, “Pilot,” Abbott Elementary set up its sweetest love story by pairing Janine and Gregory as the new substitute teachers got accustomed to working in the titular school. Janine’s irrepressible optimism began to rub off on Gregory right away despite his stiff, stuffy exterior, and his initial certainty that he would leave the school as soon as possible to pursue a principal job elsewhere soon softened. Eventually, Gregory opted to stay at Abbott a little longer, and it was clear to everyone but him whose presence shaped this decision for the young teacher.

5 Janine and Gregory’s First Kiss, Season 2, Episode 16, “Teacher Conference”

Gregory and Janine’s Highly-Hyped Kiss Was Worth The Wait

Although Gregory chose Abbott as early as the show’s pilot, it took a long, long time for him and Janine to find their footing. Janine and Gregory’s Abbott Elementary romance gradually became the show’s biggest story throughout seasons 2 and 3, but Janine didn’t even break up with her long-term boyfriend Tariq until the season 1 finale. This then led to a frustrating season where both teachers dated other people while secretly pining after each other, until season 2, episode 16, “Teacher Conference,” finally featured Janine and Gregory’s long-awaited secret first kiss during the conference.

4 Jacob Embraces His Innate Corniness, Season 2, Episode 3, “Story Samurai”

Jacob Benefitted From Taking Himself Less Seriously

Throughout Abbott Elementary, Jacob has always been an inherently funny character. A corny, well-meaning white teacher in a predominantly Black school, Jacob’s enthusiastic personality and earnestness make him both ripe for mockery and undeniably endearing. While Jacob’s season 4 storyline proved he was a great teacher, season 2, episode 3, “Story Samurai,” showed that his corniness had a role to play in this. Although he risked being mocked by his students and fellow teachers, Jacob embraced his corniness and performed alongside the cringe-including “Story Samurai” in an attempt to make learning fun. The resulting performance won the unlikely respect of the faculty and his class.

3 Mr. Johnson’s Wise Words To Janine, Season 3, Episode 14, “Party”

The Unpredictable Custodian May Have Saved Janine And Gregory’s Future

In season 3, episode 14, “Party,” Janine and Gregory’s romance finally reached boiling point. The couple kissed midway through season 2, addressed their mutual attraction in the finale, decided to put things on pause in the season 3 premiere, and then spent season 3 once again pining for each other. Janine was confident about pursuing Gregory at her end-of-year party, but Ava discouraged her when she noted that this was a potential HR violation. Of all people, Abbott Elementary’s iconic Mr. Johnson was the one to talk some sense into Janine when she doubted her plan.

Janine still wanted to pursue Gregory romantically, but now feared that it might cost her her job. Mr. Johnson confidently told her that it was better to live with consequences than regrets, a shockingly astute piece of wise life advice that proved the supporting star is much more than a reliable source of comedic relief. Mr. Johnson saved Gregory and Janine’s romance as he emboldened Janine to pursue Gregory and, although the pair didn’t kiss until the episode’s final moments, Janine’s much-needed confidence boost was an important part of their long-awaited hookup.

2 Janine And Gregory Admit That They Are “Headass,” Season 4, Episode 4, “Costume Contest”

The Couple’s First Halloween Led To An Embarrassing Admission

While viewers might have waited a long time to see Janine and Gregory end up together, this didn’t necessarily mean that their colleagues were over the moon for them. In season 4, episode 4, “Costume Contest,” Abbott Elementary’s Janine and Gregory were devastated to discover that they had been living in a bubble since getting together and their antics were grating on everyone else. Gregory and Janine initially tried to be less “Headass,” but the episode’s sweetest moment came when the couple decided that they weren’t going to hide their happiness. Instead, Gregory and Janine embraced the label with pride.

1 Janine Returns To Abbott Elementary, Season 3, Episode 10, “2 AVA 2 Fest”

Janine’s Triumphant Comeback Was Undeniably Sweet

Looking back on the show’s sweeter scenes, it would be easy to surmise that Abbott Elementary is mostly a show about Gregory and Janine’s office romance. However, this has never been true and the show’s most heart-warming moment proves it. In season 3, episode 10, “2 Ava 2 Fest,” the faculty spend most of the outing worrying about Ava’s claims that Questlove will perform at the titular event, while Janine frets about signing a contract for her new permanent role at the school district.

At the last second, Janine decides to leave a steady job at the school district since she loves working at Abbott and she returns in time for Questlove’s performance. What makes this Abbott Elementary’s most moving moment of all time is the fact that it is rooted in Janine’s love for her students. As much as the chemistry between the teachers is a big part of the show’s appeal, Abbott Elementary is also a love letter to teaching itself. As such, it makes sense that the best moment of Abbott Elementary’s first four seasons so far is Janine’s decision to stick around at the under-resourced, underfunded, but well-loved public school.

Abbott Elementary airs Wednesdays at 9:30pm on ABC.