‘Abbott Elementary’ Bosses Unpack Ava’s Strides by Season 4 Finale, Tease ‘New Beats’ in Season 5

Note: This story contains spoilers from “Abbott Elementary” Season 4, Episode 22.

After “Abbott Elementary” shook up dynamics with Ava’s firing earlier this season, the Season 4 finale restored Ava back to her rightful place: Behind the principal’s desk.

As soon as Ava (Janelle James) returns as principal, she begins her “second term” by instituting a number of questionable executive orders, which showrunners Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker said Ava likely heard in the...