The following contains spoilers from Abbott Elementary Season 2, Episodes 16 and 17, "Teacher Conference" and "Mural Arts," which debuted Wednesday, Feb. 22 and March 1 on ABC.
Abbott Elementary is a favorite among viewwrs and critics alike due in no small part to the complex and hilarious interactions between the faculty at the titular public school. One of its most fascinating relationships is the juxtaposition between Janine Teagues and Barbara Howard. The duo have grown much closer than they used to be as their workplace conflicts have given them a much better understanding of each other.
In their very first interaction, Barbara was forced to restore order to Janine’s classroom because Janine’s students refused to recognize her authority and were disrupting other classes in the process. What Janine’s begging and pleading couldn’t manage, Barbara achieved with a single sharp command: “Sit down!” Janine thanked Barbara profusely for the assist and tried to strike up a conversation, blissfully unaware of Barbara’s attempts to escape. That scene perfectly highlighted the contrast between Barbara’s strictly professional demeanor and Janine’s friendly but overbearing personality -- yet their disagreements made them both better.
Barbara Watched Janine Mature Over Abbott Elementary Season 1
That initial professional gap between the two educators was simply too vast for Barbara to take Janine seriously. Janine’s definitive trait is starting out ambitious projects only to end up royally failing, while Barbara’s years of tenure have given her a jaded view of Philadelphia's school system. That meant her knee-jerk reaction to Janine’s enterprising endeavors was pessimistic takes on why they couldn’t succeed. While Janine’s optimism meant Barbara’s advice always fell on deaf ears, her genuine desire to help the students shone through even when she failed, and she slowly began to ingratiate herself to Barbara.
Over the course of Abbott Elementary’s first season, Barbara began to warm up to Janine, but only expresses her growing fondness for the younger teacher in very subtle ways. In Season 1, Episode 5, “Student Transfer," Janine had to deal with Courtney, a very bright but problematic transfer student. Her frustration turned to dismay when she learned that Barbara and Abbott's overdramatic principal Ava Coleman were apparently making light of her discomfort by making a bet on her chances of success. Yet Janine realized that Barbara had bet on her. Courtney belonged in a third-grade class -- and Barbara trusted in Janine’s ability to deduce this enough to put money on it.
Barbara and Janine then had a full circle moment in the Season 1 finale “Zoo Balloon." Barbara acknowledged Janine’s growth on the ride back from a field trip, commending her on how far she had come on her teaching journey. As it happened, Barbara needn’t have said anything -- because when a fight broke out between two students and agitated the rest, all it took was a sharp “Sit down!” from Janine to restore order to the entire bus. It was a page ripped right out of Barbara’s playbook, and she showed her approval by granting Janine a rare thumbs-up.
Abbott Elementary Season 2 Grows Barbara and Janine's Friendship
Barbara and Janine haven't become best friends in Abbott Elementary Season 2, but they enjoyed a more cordial relationship. In Season 2, Episode 16, “Teacher Conference," Barbara basically invited Janine to attend “PECSA-Geddon” with her and Melissa Schemmenti. This was a far cry from the Barbara who ignored Janine’s emails and pretended they had all been sent to her spam folder. Janine ended up spending the event with her crush Gregory Eddie, but would've been welcome to join Barbara and Melissa. And while Janine's friendship with Erica has made her less needy toward Barbara and more of an equal, Barbara now serves as a willing mentor to the colleague she once held at arm's length.
In Season 2, Episode 5, “Juice," Janine expressed to Barbara how much regular correspondence between them would help her avoid future disasters. In response, Barbara acknowledged how hard starting out as a teacher was for her without a mentor of her own and decided to implement an office hour program. For an hour every month, any teacher (read: Janine) wanting to understand how Barbara handles the impossible with such grace was invited to a sit-down chat -- provided they made a reservation, of course.
Barbara and Janine’s relationship isn’t perfect, but they’ve both learned how to properly relate to one another. The office hour program might be the boundary they need to make their relationship equally fulfilling. Janine can finally get all the insightful teaching advice she wants from Barbara, while Barbara gets to experience Janine's enthusiasm for teaching in a controlled environment on her terms. It's a perfect compromise for two characters whose differences brought them together.
Abbott Elementary airs Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. on ABC.