Unveiling Barbara's Most Inspiring Quotes at Abbott Elementary

Barbara Howard, a fictional teacher at a kindergarten school, is the heart and soul of the popular workplace comedy Abbott Elementary. Over the course of two seasons, she has shared some of the series' best quotes. Barbara, a veteran educator with 20 years of experience, commands respect from her colleagues and students at the Philadelphia school. She is a loyal friend to her co-worker Melissa and sought after for advice by younger teachers Janine, Gregory, and Jacob. Barbara goes above and beyond to care for her students and reluctantly guides the immature principal, Ava, in the right direction.

In each episode, the endearing and humorous Barbara imparts old-school wisdom and teaching insights to her fellow teachers and the camera crew documenting life at Abbott. Despite her esteemed reputation at the school, Barbara is occasionally teased for her age and perceived lack of knowledge about pop culture. Portrayed by seasoned actor Sheryl Lee Ralph, Barbara has earned numerous awards for her outstanding performance. Here are the top 10 quotes that have solidified Barbara as one of the most beloved characters on Abbott Elementary.

10 Barbara's Assessment Of Teachers' Roles At Abbott

9 "Have You Heard The Saying..."

The mentoring relationship between Janine and Barbara was immediately established in the pilot episode and has since become a central focus of the series, with Barbara assuming the role of Janine's surrogate mother. When Janine, who lacked older female mentors, became overwhelmed by the challenges of being a teacher, Barbara provided her with invaluable advice: "Janine, teachers at a school like Abbott... we have to be skilled in various areas. We are administrators, social workers, therapists, and sometimes even substitute parents. And you know what? It's certainly not because of the money." Drawing from Barbara's experience, Janine found the encouragement she needed to continue advocating for her students and fighting for their needs.

Barbara has never been one to tolerate fools. Being a Gemini, she's always quick to express her disapproval of foolishness with a raised eyebrow and a clever remark. In the episode "Ava vs. Superintendent" of season 1, Barbara and the well-intentioned but know-it-all Jacob were working in the school garden. Barbara expressed her frustration about never receiving a school grant despite a decade of applications, which prompted Jacob to question if her repeated attempts were an example of insanity. Barbara, clearly offended, didn't hesitate to retort, "Have you ever heard the saying that I will pop you upside your head if you imply that I am insane?" This quote exemplifies Barbara's ability to assert herself while holding no grudges.

8 "Music Class Will Be Going Bye-Bye-Bye"

7 "Sweet Baby Jesus And The Grown One, Too!"

In the same episode, "Ava vs. Superintendent," Jacob and Janine express their frustration over the occasional interruption of their classroom by music class. In response to the lack of school discretionary funds, Barbara offers a straightforward suggestion: "Well, my advice to all of you is to make the most of your free periods while you still can. Because music class will soon be a thing of the past, just like Blackstreet Boyz II Men." This quote exemplifies Barbara's preference for addressing realities without sugar-coating, and it also reveals her lack of familiarity with correct celebrity names.

In the first season's episode titled "Desking," Abbot was hit by a viral trend where students walked on classroom desks. Barbara, confident in her abilities as a teacher and disciplinarian, never expected her kindergartners to misbehave in such a manner. When the young ones joined in on the game, Barbara, a devout churchgoer and God-fearing woman, was livid. She stormed into the teacher lounge and exclaimed, "Sweet baby Jesus, and the grown one, too! My desks have been desecrated!" While always sweet and kind in her classroom and the school's hallways, Barbara revealed a side of herself that occasionally required a release of anger and venting among her colleagues in private.

6 Barbara Remembers Past Abbott Elementary Field Trips

In the season 1 finale, "Zoo Balloon," the school embarked on an exciting field trip to the Philadelphia Zoo. Naturally, a few teachers expressed concern about the possibility of students wandering off. To ease their worries, Barbara confidently reassured her colleagues, drawing from her own experiences: "I've encountered similar situations countless times before. The most memorable incident occurred in 2005 when a child named August went missing at The Hershey Factory while on the quest for a chocolate river. Mnh!" Although Barbara's well-intentioned advice inadvertently heightened anxiety, it also highlighted her ability to navigate such challenges throughout her teaching career without excessive worry. Additionally, Barbara's anecdote subtly referenced the beloved children's film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, ironically adding an element of humor to her reflection on the matter.

5 "A $50 Buffalo Wild Wing Gift Card Wouldn't Hurt Anybody"

In the second season episode titled "Teacher Appreciation," the focus was on Teacher Appreciation Week at Abbott. As per tradition, the students brought gifts from discount stores for their beloved teachers, and Barbara was the lucky recipient of multiple boxes of lotion. While the teachers were grateful for the gesture, they believed that the school district should have promoted a more meaningful tribute, such as providing restaurant gift cards at the very least. Near the conclusion of the episode, Barbara candidly and movingly expressed her own sentiments and those of her fellow teachers: "What I truly cherish about this lotion is that whenever I apply it, it serves as a reminder that this school, my colleagues, and these students are our entire universe, and we value one another immensely. Although, a Buffalo Wing gift card worth $50 wouldn't be a bad idea either."

4 Barbara Is Disappointed In A Former Student

The storyline that played out in a major part of season 2 revolved around the concern that Abbott would undergo a transformation into an upscale charter school under the influence of Draemond Winding, a former student of Barbara's. After the teachers and students united to protect Abbott Elementary, effectively thwarting Draemond's plans, he foolishly and arrogantly expressed delight in bringing the entire community together. During an interview with the documentary crew, Barbara, staying true to her character, openly expressed her true sentiments with a touch of elegance and her trademark smile: "Every student is unique, and you must give them your utmost dedication, hoping that they will carry it with them. However, ultimately they must make their own choices. And in this case, they chose to act like a jackass."

3 "Sea Barbara Is Different Than Land Barbara"

In the season 2 premiere, titled "Development Day," the episode delved into the preparations made by the teachers for the upcoming school year prior to the students' arrival on their first day. Barbara divulged that she had just returned from a summer cruise and had already assisted the principal in disbursing the school's grant funds. She also discovered that she would have a student who uses a wheelchair, necessitating the need for a suitable desk. Despite her composed and proper demeanor, Barbara unintentionally revealed that she had a great time on the cruise: "My next objective is to provide the student with an appropriate desk and resolve the issue of the shoes I lost during the cruise. I was quite intoxicated. Sea Barbara is quite distinct from Land Barbara."

2 Barbara Mixes Up Black And White Celebrities

1 Barbara's Favorite "B" Words

In the episode titled "Wrong Delivery" of season 2, it was revealed that Barbara often confuses white celebrity names with those of Black celebrities. The conversation among the teachers revolved around potential actors to play Spider-Man in a film reboot. When Ava suggested choosing a Black actor for the role, Barbara enthusiastically exclaimed, "Well, if they decide to cast a Black actor, I really hope they go with Mr. Brian Austin Green. I'm extremely proud of that young man and all of his accomplishments." The camera then shifted to Janine, who clarified that Barbara actually meant Brian Tyree Henry. Other instances in the episode showcased Barbara's attempts to stay updated with pop culture, including her mix-ups between Millie Bobby Brown and Bobby Brown, as well as Tommy Lee Jones and James Earl Jones.

Barbara's strong faith has been a driving force in her life, guiding her interactions with others, influencing her decision-making, and helping her overcome challenges. However, there have been instances where Barbara's initial display of piety eventually revealed a sense of superiority. This occurred in the "Egg Drop" episode of season 2. When a parent with a controversial tattoo arrived at Barbara's classroom, she expressed her exasperation by stating, "As a devout Christian, I personally would never adorn my body with such a vulgar design. I don't even believe in uttering that word aloud. My preferred 'B' terms are Barbara, Bible, blessing, and blueberries!" Barbara's clever use of language, accompanied by her radiant smile as she listed her favorite "B" words, remains one of the most memorable and amusing moments from Abbott Elementary.