Meet Elsa Hardaway, Katy Mixon’s New Teacher on ‘Abbott Elementary’ Who Just Took Melissa’s Classroom
The new teacher on ‘Abbott Elementary‘ has barely unpacked her supplies, and she is already causing trouble in the teachers’ lounge. The sixth season premiere introduced Katy Mixon as Elsa Hardaway, a new teacher in a pink tracksuit who becomes Melissa’s latest rival. She makes her mark by driving Melissa out of her own classroom.
The new season premiered on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and streamed the next day on Hulu. For fans who spotted the trailer, the arrival of this new teacher on ‘Abbott Elementary’ was one of the biggest talking points. Here is everything we know about her so far.
Katy Mixon as Elsa Hardaway
Elsa Hardaway is played by Katy Mixon, who viewers may remember from ‘American Housewife’. Mixon is now officially credited as Katy Mixon Greer, and she played Connecticut mom Katie Otto for five seasons on that ABC series.
The character first surfaced in the season trailer. Her pink tracksuit character clashes with Melissa right away, telling her “That is my chair” as she walks into the classroom. When Melissa tries to remind her of the hierarchy around here and flips her hair, the newcomer flips her hair right back and says she is not going anywhere.
The casting was first confirmed by a source for the guest starring role. Local coverage of the cast press rounds also pointed to a new teacher who seems to be butting heads with Melissa Schemmenti. The setup makes for an instant workplace rivalry.
Melissa’s Classroom Becomes a Battleground
Melissa is the perfect target for a challenger. She is a second grade teacher introduced as a sharp tongued veteran who pairs a tough exterior with a genuine love for her students. Taking her space was always going to start a fight.
Melissa has ongoing beef with the newbie teacher after the latter was given Melissa’s first floor classroom. ABC’s description of the premiere says Melissa works to win her classroom back. That is a very Melissa mission.
Things finally look up for her when she learns something about her rival. Melissa discovers Elsa has a crush on Morton, played by Jerry Minor, and points out that the upstairs class is right across the hall from his classroom, so Elsa agrees to the exchange. One outlet felt the chemistry was so good that it would not be shocking if Mixon popped in again. Melissa also has a new role this year as a teachers’ union representative.
What the Season 6 Premiere Changed
The premiere is titled “Jungle Classroom.” The episode kicks off on Development Day ahead of the school year. Janine’s classroom quickly becomes a mess of craft supplies, with water misters and even a fire pit that are not up to code.
Behind the scenes, the cast has been teasing big things. The show just passed the landmark 100 episode mark, and the cast says the emotions, plot twists and laughs are all bigger this season. Director Randall Einhorn hinted that the first episode may feature people who are famous in Philly and beyond, though he would not say more.
The premiere also takes a swing at modern school life. Gregory realizes at the end of the episode that the teacher he hired to replace him is actually AI. The episode shows artificial intelligence complicating an already difficult hiring process. It is a funny twist that fits the show’s habit of finding humor in public education.
Gregory as Assistant Principal Shakes Up the Staff
The biggest job change belongs to Gregory. The trailer reveals he has stepped into the role of assistant principal while keeping his teaching duties. Executive producer Justin Halpern told TVLine that Gregory takes the job very seriously.
The trailer shows how rocky that road might be. Gregory gets yelled at by angry parents, Ava tracks down the superintendent on the golf course to chew him out in person, and Janine’s ex Tariq is back. Gregory will now work more directly under Janelle James’ Ava, the self absorbed principal.
The school is also busier than ever. The district shut down a bunch of schools in the last season finale, which leaves Abbott to pick up the slack, and the producers are staying quiet about whether Gregory will propose to Janine after asking O’Shon about engagement rings.
With Elsa already claiming Melissa’s chair and eyeing Morton across the hall, do you think the new teacher on ‘Abbott Elementary’ will become Melissa’s worst enemy or her unlikely ally?
