Abbott Elementary teased a shakeup in season 5, but it wasn't what viewers were expecting. Aside from Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) moving up from second grade to sixth , Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) and Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Roth) have switched roles.

Barbara has always been the unofficial sensei for many of Abbott Elementary's teachers, and now the series is setting things up so that Janine has taken her place. The new season sees new characters join Abbott's halls, leading to a brief identity crisis for Janine. With a few changes to the start of the school year, Janine took a note from Barbara's book and realized she could be the mentor that younger teachers need.

Janine Teagues Takes Barbara Howard's Place As Mentor

Janina Teagues smiling in an episode of Abbot

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