In season 6, episode 3 of Abbott Elementary, the step team tries out for a major competition; Melissa and Barbara take a special education certification course; and Janine, Gregory, and Jacob welcome a new substitute.
The episode opens with Jacob announcing the school's monthly PTA, with Tariq's unhelpful but hilarious commentary in the background.
Jacob notes that the school cafeteria is creating a menu for the school year and wants the community to choose one of the new dishes. Tariq votes for ribs; another parent suggests crab legs, but Jacob advises them to choose something less messy. They settle on sliders, but Tariq goes off on a rant about electricity and suggests everyone dance the electric slide. Jacob is opposed and starts playing Coldplay because who can dance to their music? He mistakenly underestimated the Abbott community because the scene cuts to the teachers getting down to "Viva La Vida."
Later, Jacob runs into Ava and asks her to let the podcast club use the gym, but the step team is already practicing their routine there. They plan to try out for The Homeroom Showdown, a local dance competition. If they make it, they'll be sent to Regionals, where the prize is a trip to Disneyland. Ava doesn't think they stand a chance but doesn't want to crush their dreams.
Meanwhile, Melissa has a new special ed teacher, Ms. Pitman, in her classroom. She's been sent to work with Melissa's student, Michael, for the day, but Melissa is uncomfortable having someone else in her classroom. She believes she has the expertise required to teach students like Michael, but Ms. Pitman makes it clear that Melissa needs a special ed certification. As a result, she advises Melissa to take her class, and the Abbott teacher quickly agrees.
Abbott welcomes a new sub
Elsewhere, Mr. Johnson lectures the new sub, Natalie (Miranda Cosgrove), on trash while the dynamic trio (Gregory, Janine, and Jacob) observe. Gregory notes that the kids seem to like her, and he hopes she sticks around. To ensure she does, the teachers invite her to dinner at Bone Town. She says she has to meet her sisters first but will meet them at the restaurant afterwards.
Melissa tries to convince Barbara to take the special ed certification class with her, but Barbara is hesitant. That is, until she hears that they'll both be paid $2,000 for their time. After that, she's all in...for the kids, of course.
In Ava's office, the step team tells their principal they made it to tryouts, but she's less than enthused. Ava still thinks the girls are setting themselves up for a letdown but doesn't voice her concerns.
Meanwhile, Barbara and Melissa show up late to their certification class, much to Ms. Pitman's disappointment. It seems the teachers have started off on the wrong foot with their new instructor.
Later, the dynamic trio is enjoying themselves at Bone Town when Natalie arrives dressed as a nun. The teachers laugh it off until they realize she's a real nun, or as she puts it, a "sister." Janine, high as a kite on her after-school marijuana, is horrified. Natalie apologizes for catching the group off guard, but they assure her they don't judge. Unfortunately, the waiter takes that moment to come by with their drinks named after various sexual acts.
Can you say awkward?
Back at Abbott, Barbara and Melissa complain about Ms. Pitman assigning them homework. But the dynamic trio interrupts to tell them about their awkward evening with Natalie the night before. The dinner even forces Jacob to relive some trauma from his Catholic school days. Yikes.
Mr. Johnson steps up
Ava takes the step team to their dance event, and while there, they scoop out their competition.
At the same time, Melissa and Barbara cause a disturbance in their special ed class. Unfortunately for them, Ms. Pitman is not pleased and separates the two. However, the duo continues to be difficult and eventually gets kicked out of class.
Is it too soon to say we saw that coming?
Back at Abbott, Gregory and Janine run into Natalie in the parking lot. The new sub implies the couple lives separately by admiring the fact that they carpool. Janine and Gregory play along, but they don't like her tone. They resolve to get rid of the new teacher by any means necessary.
Oh boy.
Elsewhere, the step team has a good day at the local dance competition, but Ava advises them to manage their expectations. She doesn't want them to be disappointed and even cancels practice when they get back to Abbott. Thankfully, Mr. Johnson saves the day with a few words of wisdom. He points out that the girls will face disappointment eventually because that's how life works. And if they do, Ava will be there to help them through it. But she needs to lift the girls up, rather than prepare them for something that might not happen right now.
We always knew you had it in you, Mr. Johnson!
Meanwhile, Melissa and Barbara attend the cafeteria staff's school lunch announcement and complain that Ms. Pitman kicked them out of class. They stop momentarily to talk to Michael, who tries to leave the announcement because he's overstimulated. The teachers realize Ms. Pitman was right all along. Special students need special tools to help them navigate neurotypical environments, so they fetch a pair of headphones for Michael so he can enjoy the school lunch announcement.
Later, Melissa and Barbara return to class and make amends with Ms. Pitman by offering her an apple. It seems they've also silently resolved to be quiet in class and pay attention this time.
Back at Abbott, Gregory, Janine, and Jacob try to force Natalie out of the school by being...scandalous. However, Natalie knows what they're up to and stops them. She says she already quit to take another position at a Jesuit school. Because, unlike the Abbott teachers, "they can hang."
Here's hope this isn't the last we'll see of Miranda Cosgrove!
Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson has good news: the step team made it into the Homeroom Showdown! Everyone is excited, including Ava, though she points out that the group most likely won't win Regionals. But that's ok!
The episode ends with Mr. Johnson's homemade horror film. He hopes to make it to the Film Independent Spirit Awards one day.
Dream big, Mr. Johnson!
Add us as a preferred source on Google