In the Season 2 premiere of Abbott Elementary , we don’t get a new student or a field trip crisis. Instead, we get something far more revealing: where every character’s MPC — their Motivation-Priority Compass — is put on full display.

Here’s a useful blog post breaking down Abbott Elementary Season 2, Episode 1: “Development Day” — with a focus on the (Maslow’s Pyramid of Choices / sometimes referred to in fandom as “Moral/Pedagogical Compass,” but in context, it’s about character motivation and school hierarchy). Breaking Down Abbott Elementary S02E01: The MPC That Drives Every Teacher Title: Development Day Air date: September 21, 2022

| Character | MPC Focus | Wins | Loses | |-----------|-----------|------|-------| | Janine | Innovation | Passion | Sanity | | Gregory | Stability | Order | Connection | | Ava | Image | Control | Respect | | Melissa/Barbara | Tradition | Safety | Growth |

You’ll see the pilot episode’s themes pay off beautifully. What’s your MPC as an educator or leader? Drop it in the comments — or argue why Ava’s approach is actually valid. (I’ll wait.)

The result? Janine’s app crashes. Gregory’s fixes go unnoticed. Ava’s activity backfires. The veterans win by not playing — but also don’t improve anything.