Gregory’s Green Thumb: Growth As A Black Educator

The Emmy Award-winning ABC series Abbott Elementary explores the lives of elementary school teachers in and out of the classroom. Although there is a strong focus on the work, culture, and antics at the school, there is also a focus on the lived experiences of the teachers who navigate their personal lives and challenges while attempting to serve the students at their school.

For this analysis, I want to focus on Gregory Eddie, depicted by Tyler James Williams. His role as one of the prominent male teachers at the school offers a unique lens. It is uncertain if Gregory is first-gen as his mother’s story and academic history have yet to be told. However, his story is very first-gen-ish as the themes of lacking understanding of his college experience and devaluing his education to his career path come out.

The New Teacher, Mr. Eddie

Gregory Eddie is the recent addition to the school’s faculty being onboarded as a substitute teacher for 1st grade. He has aspirations of becoming a principal, and while in college, he was a part of a program designed to help young Black men transition from teaching to principal positions. Eddie’s description of the program mirrors the mission and purpose of the Call Me Mister Program, that increases the pipeline and presence of Black men in K-12 education.

Throughout the show, there are nods to the fact that Gregory fills a gap at the school, being one of the few men to serve as a teacher, and many of his students adore him as their teacher. His calm disposition also adds a work dynamic that offers balance to the faculty and the many challenges that occur while supporting their students in an underserved school.

Further in the series, Gregory is confronted with his personal history and feelings of doubt resulting from one of his greatest inspirations and hardest critics, his father.

A Real Man’s Job

In season one, Gregory receives a call from his father, who tries to get him to support him with a landscaping job and mentions that he would be in town. Gregory’s father, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Eddie, played by Orlando Jones, is a no-nonsense, ex-military man who has run a landscaping business in his family for two generations. In this call with Gregory, Lt. Eddie makes statements such as "This school idea, I don't get it" and "Come do a real man's job." After this phone call, Gregory is outwardly upset as his father’s words surfaced, some frustration rooted in the disapproval of his career.

He wanted to stop by to see where I work, probably so he could tell me what he finds unsatisfactory about it to my face. - Gregory Eddie on his father's arrival.

The Rewards of Education

Gregory goes with his father to assist with a landscaping job. Martin notices his son's increase in confidence and asks if he has any interest in partnering in the landscaping business, where he will eventually hand over the management to Gregory and maintain the legacy of their family's work. He then proceeds to address his father's tendency to micromanage him and critique his work, seeking confirmation that if he were to partner with him, this would be the same.

Gregory grew in the following areas:

• Initiative - In previous episodes, Gregory noticed that the school's garden could not thrive. Using the knowledge that he gained from his dad, Gregory secretly tends to the garden and becomes responsible for the school's vibrant urban garden. His father notices this act and commends him on stepping up and showing his skills.
• Advocacy - Gregory was able to advocate for himself as his dad disapproved of his career goals. He has also grown in advocating for his students and developing comfort with colleagues and student parents in challenging situations.
• Joy - Gregory shares that he was proud of the work that he's done and having the courage to help his father see what his work and path means to him. Known for being stoic, he smiles and states that he has experienced Black Boy Joy.

Although challenging, Gregory's interactions with his father were necessary in this season of life as he was able to show the benefits of what this opportunity has afforded him. This was a win, as nationally, K-12 education cannot afford to lose more Black teachers, who only make up 7% of public K-12 educators.

Gregory turned down his dad’s offer to be his partner in the company and continued teaching at the school. His father does not contest his decision as he admires what his son gains from working at the school. One can only wonder if this is the culmination of where what a student learns in the classroom connects to real-world experiences, leading to the "aha moments." As Gregory was fortunate enough to experience his father's acknowledgment and acceptance in his career, this may not be the case for some first-gen students as these moments may not occur.

Cultivating Young Minds

As the episode ends, his colleague Jacob walks into Gregory’s class, where he is teaching a science lesson on photosynthesis using soil and seeds to explain the growth process of plants. A great homage to his father’s teachings of horticulture. Jacob validates his decision to stay and is proud that he and his father found common ground and respect in the work that he is doing.

I'm at a place that I love, doing something I love - Gregory Eddie

Ultimately, Gregory's story provides a lens of a Black male teacher seeking to find his place while investing in the future generation. This lens is validated as the actor Tyler James Williams leverages his position and voice in real-life advocacy for the presence of Black educators. There is more to learn about Gregory and the other educators depicted in the series, like showrunner Janine (Quinta Brunson). Their backgrounds and experiences provide some first-gen related themes, such as survivors' remorse and the burdens of responsibility for their families. As season three of Abbott Elementary airs, there are more narratives from these teachers and students that are worth unpacking.

James K. Winfield, EdD, is a #popculture enthusiast, hip-hop fan, #highered administrator, and instructor passionate about #equity, access, and #success. He can be followed via X (Twitter) @jwinfield4