Sheryl Lee Ralph on Working with the Students of ‘Abbott Elementary’ [Interview]

Sheryl Lee Ralph is Barbara Howard, a seasoned vet on Abbott Elementary‘s payroll and the tenacious backbone of this sitcom.

The kindergarten teacher’s stern but kind-hearted lesson plans have made her a legacy among staff and students. Plus, she’s not afraid to call Leslie Odom Jr.’s Draemond a jackass when the mood calls for it.

We caught up with Ralph on the red carpet ahead of Abbott Elementary‘s panel at PaleyFest to discuss overseeing Mrs. Howard’s well-behaved class and working alongside the youngest actors on set.

“I cannot tell you how good the kids are in my classroom — not just as kids but as actors,” Ralph revealed, channeling the very pride Mrs. Howard has for her students.

“I am shocked sometimes at their ability to quickly learn what is going on and what is expected of them. There are some kids in my classroom — they’re filling the seats, they’re extras — and there are some kids in that classroom, they are actors.”

For Ralph, the opportunity to witness the next generation of industry creators pass through her fictional classroom is a heartwarming experience.

“I get to see through the youngest of them. Some of these kids are going to be producers, and a lot of them are going to be writers.”

Watch the full interview with Sheryl Lee Ralph:

As the show’s kindergarten teacher, Ralph oversees the youngest scene partners at Abbott. The dynamic of a fictional learning space has revealed tons about the children at the core of this series — including their astute observation skills.

“They ask questions, and their questions make so much sense. You know, they will ask you, ‘What does that mean? What is he saying?’ and I’m just like, ‘You were really paying attention,” Ralph explained.

“Sometimes I have to say, ‘You pay attention in school like this? Because you are getting an A in this class.'”

That is indeed an A+ answer from our favorite Abbott Elementary kindergarten teacher.

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*Additional reporting by Ashley Bissette Sumerel

Featured image credit: Brian To for the Paley Center

Abbott Elementary airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on ABC.

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