25 of the most memorable TV teachers

Dee Reynolds – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Dee Reynolds might not be a teacher by trade or education, but she still feels compelled to shape young children’s lives. Inspired by a drama teacher in her youth, Dee takes a job as a drama teacher and takes the idea of an “eye-opening” curriculum to a whole new level. Kaitlin Olson is a dream as the delinquent Dee, portraying her as the hard-partying, tough girl who has very little regard for social niceties or etiquette.

She starts earnestly enough, delivering a dramatic monologue about the tragic death of their former teacher. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t get the kids’ attention, so she decides to change tactics. Dropping the pretense of an academic experience, she decides to take the kids to the bar she and her friends frequent, Paddy’s.

While Dee thinks she’ll be showing her class some classic drama, the gang decides to reenact Lethal Weapon 5, which is an obscure and bizarre choice. The production goes horribly wrong and racist, and the kids are horrified.

Dee’s stint as a teacher is short-lived, and she is fired unceremoniously for the inappropriate nature of the Lethal Weapon interpretation. It’s no skin off her nose, and she goes on to do a million more jobs, including serving as a surrogate mother. One might posit that Dee is a jack of all trades, but it’s safe to say she is a master of none of those things.

There are 12 seasons of Philadelphia nonsense, and you can catch up on all of them on Hulu.

Next: 25 of the best siblings in TV and movies

Seriously, though: thank your teachers.