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Abbott Elementary character guide

Who is Janine Teagues in Abbott Elementary?

An endlessly optimistic young second-grade teacher at an underfunded Philadelphia public school, Janine is determined to fix everything for her students, even when her big ideas backfire.

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Show
Abbott Elementary
Debut
2021
Network
ABC
Role
Lead
Gender
Female

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Show
Abbott Elementary
Played by
Quinta Brunson
First episode
“Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1, aired December 7, 2021
Role
Lead
Network
ABC
Occupation
Second-grade teacher, Abbott Elementary
Show run
2021 to present
Also known as
Ms. Teagues

Janine Teagues is the heart of Abbott Elementary: a relentlessly hopeful second-grade teacher who believes one more good idea can fix a struggling school. She is played by Quinta Brunson, who also created the show and writes for it.

On Abbott Elementary, Janine Teagues's story runs through Gregory Eddie (Boyfriend), Barbara Howard (Mentor), Melissa Schemmenti (Colleague), Jacob Hill (Best Friend at Work), and Ava Coleman (Principal).

Janine Teagues from Abbott Elementary: Sitcomdle character card

Who is Janine Teagues?

Janine teaches second grade at Willard R. Abbott Elementary, a public school in Philadelphia that is short on money, supplies, and patience from the district. She is one of the youngest teachers on staff and the one most likely to volunteer for a new project, start a petition, or stay late to make a classroom a little better.

The documentary crew filming Abbott catches her at her most ambitious and her most chaotic. Janine looks up to veteran teachers Barbara and Melissa, gets steamrolled by Principal Ava, and quickly forms a bond with Gregory, the new substitute next door.

Personality and comedy

Janine's optimism is her superpower and her biggest weakness. She takes on far too much, trusts that things will work out, and often has to clean up the mess when a plan goes sideways, like the day her attempt to fix the school's lights knocks out the power instead.

The show balances her eagerness with real growth. Over the seasons she learns to say no, to let students solve their own problems, and to look at her own life, including a complicated relationship with her mother and the long-term boyfriend she outgrew. She turns 30 in season five, and her mother, Vanetta, still knows exactly how to rattle her.

Key storylines

In season one Janine is still dating Tariq, her boyfriend since eighth grade, and she ends the season by choosing Abbott over following him to New York. Season two is about rebuilding: she struggles with rent, dates Gregory's friend Maurice, and slowly admits her feelings for Gregory after the two share a drunken kiss at a teacher conference. At the end of the season they confess their feelings but agree to stay friends for now.

In season three Janine spends time on a fellowship with the Philadelphia school district before deciding she belongs in the classroom. Season four opens with the reveal that she and Gregory have been dating all summer. In season five Gregory moves into Janine's building, the two split after a fight about money and travel plans on a trip, and they find their way back to each other before the finale.

Behind the scenes and legacy

Quinta Brunson created Abbott Elementary and plays Janine. She based the show on her mother's long career as a teacher and named the school after Joyce Abbott, one of her own favorite elementary school teachers. Brunson won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2022 for the pilot.

For playing Janine, Brunson won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy, and the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the 75th Emmy Awards, submitting the episode "Teacher Conference." Janine and Gregory's slow-burn romance is often compared to Jim and Pam's on The Office, which shares the show's mockumentary style.

Key Janine Teagues episodes

  1. “Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1Janine's complaint to the district about wasted money lands right back on Ava's desk, and Ava embarrasses her in front of the staff.
  2. “Zoo Balloon”Season 1, Episode 13On the year-end zoo trip, Janine decides not to follow Tariq to New York.
  3. “Teacher Conference”Season 2, Episode 16Janine and Gregory share a kiss after sneaking into a closed exhibit.
  4. “Franklin Institute”Season 2, Episode 22Janine and Gregory finally confess their feelings but agree to stay friends for now.
  5. “Career Day”Season 3, Episode 1Janine accepts a job with the district and later returns to Abbott for the career day she planned.
  6. “Back to School”Season 4, Episode 1The staff discovers that Janine and Gregory have been dating all summer.

Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.

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Janine Teagues: frequently asked questions

Who plays Janine Teagues on Abbott Elementary?

Quinta Brunson plays Janine. She is also the creator, an executive producer, and a writer on the show.

Do Janine and Gregory get together?

Yes. After years of near misses, the season four premiere "Back to School" reveals they have been dating over the summer. They briefly break up in season five and then reconcile.

What grade does Janine teach?

Janine teaches second grade at Abbott Elementary, apart from a stretch in season three when she takes a fellowship with the school district.

Did Quinta Brunson win an Emmy for Abbott Elementary?

Yes. She won the 2022 Emmy for comedy writing for the pilot and later won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards for playing Janine.

Why does Janine break up with Tariq?

At the end of season one, Tariq wants to move to New York for his music career, and Janine decides to stay at Abbott and take a break from the relationship instead.

Test yourself: Janine Teagues quiz

5 questions about Janine Teagues. Think of your answer, then open the reveal to check it.

  1. Question 1

    In which city is Abbott Elementary set?

    1. Philadelphia
    2. Baltimore
    3. Pittsburgh
    4. Newark
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Philadelphia

    Abbott is a fictional public school in West Philadelphia, which is also Quinta Brunson's hometown. Philly touches pop up all over the show, from a Gritty cameo to a crossover with the Paddy's Pub gang.

    See question 1 in the full quiz

  2. Question 2

    Who created Abbott Elementary and also stars as Janine Teagues?

    1. Sheryl Lee Ralph
    2. Quinta Brunson
    3. Janelle James
    4. Lisa Ann Walter
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Quinta Brunson

    Quinta Brunson created the series and plays the endlessly optimistic Janine. Sheryl Lee Ralph plays Barbara, Janelle James plays Ava, and Lisa Ann Walter plays Melissa.

    See question 2 in the full quiz

  3. Question 3

    When the series begins, which grade does Barbara Howard teach?

    1. Second grade
    2. Sixth grade
    3. Kindergarten
    4. Fourth grade
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. Kindergarten

    Barbara is the school's no-nonsense, deeply religious kindergarten teacher and a mother figure to Janine. Janine and Melissa both start out teaching second grade.

    See question 3 in the full quiz

  4. Question 4

    In the pilot, what does Ava spend the school's supply money on instead of classroom rugs?

    1. A hot tub for her office
    2. Designer sneakers
    3. A new school sign
    4. A vending machine
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. A new school sign

    Ava blows the money on a flashy new sign, setting the tone for her leadership in the "Pilot." When Janine complains to the superintendent, the email lands right back with Ava.

    See question 7 in the full quiz

  5. Question 5

    What career is Janine's boyfriend Tariq chasing in season 1?

    1. Chef
    2. Real estate agent
    3. Rapper
    4. Barber
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. Rapper

    Tariq is an aspiring rapper whose gigs always seem to come before Janine. In the season 1 finale, "Zoo Balloon," he gets a chance to record in New York, and Janine decides to take a break instead of going with him.

    See question 11 in the full quiz

Take the full Abbott Elementary quiz (20 questions)

Sources and corrections

Reference pages used for this guide, including character, cast, and episode details.

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