The Full Cast List & Shocking Guest Star In Abbott Elementary Season 3 Episode 4: "Smoking"

The highly anticipated fourth episode of Abbott Elementary Season 3, titled "Smoking," premiered on February 21, 2024, bringing the beloved mockumentary back with its signature blend of sharp humor and heartfelt social commentary. This episode was a pivotal one, focusing on a major policy issue at Willard R. Abbott Elementary while introducing a memorable new face to the staff.

The core cast delivered their usual brilliant performances as the teachers grappled with a student caught smoking and the hilariously outdated school drug policy. The episode also created a buzz online due to the appearance of a specific guest star playing the substitute teacher for Janine's class, whose unique teaching style and personality immediately clashed with Janine's meticulous preparations.

The Complete Main Cast and Character Biographies for Season 3

The success of Abbott Elementary rests on the shoulders of its phenomenal ensemble cast, who reprised their roles for Season 3, Episode 4, "Smoking." Here is a complete breakdown of the main cast members and their characters, providing a solid foundation of topical authority for the show.

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• Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues: The optimistic and dedicated second-grade teacher who, in Season 3, takes on a new fellowship role at the school district, often leaving her classroom in the hands of substitutes. Her arc in "Smoking" involves her struggling to let go of control over her class.
• Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie: The measured and principled first-grade teacher. In this episode, Gregory finds himself supporting Janine while also reflecting on the fairness and efficacy of the school's disciplinary policies.
• Janelle James as Ava Coleman: The highly unconventional and self-serving principal of Abbott Elementary. Ava’s lack of interest in the actual policy debate provided much of the episode's comedic relief.
• Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti: The tough, street-smart second-grade teacher from South Philly. Melissa’s practical, no-nonsense approach is central to the staff's discussions about how to handle the "smoking" situation.
• Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill: The well-meaning but often awkward history teacher. Jacob’s progressive, yet sometimes overly academic, perspective on the drug policy debate adds to the staff's diverse viewpoints.
• Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard: The veteran kindergarten teacher and a steadfast figure at Abbott. Barbara’s traditionalist perspective on school rules and her mentorship of Janine are always a grounding force.
• William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson: The eccentric and mysterious school custodian. Mr. Johnson’s deadpan observations and unexpected wisdom often pop up during the staff's serious discussions.

The Breakout Guest Star: Who Played Jessca in "Smoking"?

Every season of Abbott Elementary features incredible guest stars, and Episode 4 was no exception. The "Smoking" episode introduced a character who instantly became a fan favorite and a source of conflict for Janine: the substitute teacher for her class, named Jessca (not Jessica).

The role of Jessca was played by Sabrina Brier. Brier is a popular online personality and TikTok creator known for her sketch comedy and relatable yet exaggerated characters, making her a perfect fit for the show's mockumentary style.

Jessca’s character was designed to be the complete opposite of Janine Teagues. She was laid-back, somewhat disorganized, and had a nonchalant approach to teaching, which drove Janine to distraction. The humor stemmed from Janine's attempts to "prep" the substitute, only to realize Jessca had her own unique, albeit questionable, methods. This guest appearance was a major talking point for the episode, showcasing the show's ability to integrate fresh comedic talent from outside traditional television.

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Key Plot Points and Topical Entities in Episode 4

Beyond the main and guest cast, the plot of "Smoking" was rich with topical entities and character dynamics that drove the narrative forward. The episode masterfully balanced the A-plot—a serious school issue—with the B-plot—Janine’s personal growth.

The Outdated Drug Policy Debate

The central conflict of the episode was the discovery that a student, Curtis, was caught smoking. This incident forced Principal Ava Coleman to enforce the school's existing drug policy, which the staff quickly realized was absurdly outdated. The policy was so old it seemed to focus more on cigarettes than modern issues, creating a hilarious and frustrating situation for the teachers.

The staff's struggle to revamp the antiquated policy became a major source of comedy and commentary. Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) and Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph) offered their traditional, experience-based views, while Jacob Hill (Chris Perfetti) tried to introduce more modern, research-based solutions. Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) played a key role in advocating for the student and helping Janine navigate the bureaucracy of lifting the suspension, highlighting his growing commitment to the school and his relationship with Janine.

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Janine’s Struggle with the Substitute Teacher

A key entity in the episode was the substitute teacher, Jessca (Sabrina Brier). With Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) now working part-time for the school district as part of her fellowship, her classroom required a sub. The plot focused on Janine’s inability to fully detach from her old role. She spent the entire episode trying to ensure Jessca was following her detailed lesson plans and teaching methods.

Jessca's laid-back, "vibes-based" teaching style—including the use of a "calm-down corner" and a generally relaxed classroom atmosphere—was a comedic foil to Janine's Type-A personality. This storyline explored the theme of letting go and trusting others, which is a crucial part of Janine's Season 3 arc as she transitions into her district role.

LSI Keywords and Entities from the Episode:

• Student Curtis Suspension
• Philadelphia Public School Drug Policy
• Janine Teagues District Fellowship
• Jessca Substitute Teacher
• Gregory and Janine Dynamics
• Abbott Elementary Season 3 Recap
• Willard R. Abbott Elementary
• "Calm-Down Corner" Teaching Method

The episode "Smoking" was a fresh and insightful look at the challenges of modern education, proving once again why Abbott Elementary remains one of the most critically acclaimed sitcoms on television. The combination of the established, talented main cast and the perfect comedic timing of guest star Sabrina Brier made this one of the most memorable episodes of the third season.