Janine is out sick for the day; but with the substitute teacher shortage, Ava grows desperate and must step in herself to help out. She starts the day in an unconventional fashion, disrupting the students’ typical routine as well as neighboring classrooms. Meanwhile, Barbara and Melissa revel in the quieter-than-normal teacher’s lounge.

Ava announces the school district is sending a group of volunteers to help out at Abbott. However, when they arrive, things don’t go as planned.

Ava and the Abbott teachers plan for the annual school district budget meeting. Janine and Gregory prepare for Valentine's Day as a couple

A debate over a controversial book leads Ava to remove it from the library, but some parents push for its return.