Facts of Life Season 4 Episode 15 Teacher's Pet
- January 26, 1983
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7.9 (67)
The Facts of Life season 4 episode 15 titled "Teacher's Pet" follows the girls of Eastland School as they vie for the affection of a new music teacher, Mr. Eric Raymond. Tootie, Natalie, and Blair are all smitten with the handsome and charming Mr. Raymond, who quickly becomes the object of their affection. However, when Mr. Raymond awards each girl the same grade for their music assignments, the competitive nature of the girls comes to the surface.
As Tootie, Natalie, and Blair each try to become Mr. Raymond's favorite student, they begin to sabotage each other's efforts. Tootie steals a song that Blair wrote, Natalie pretends to faint during a lesson to gain Mr. Raymond's attention, and Blair cheats on an exam. Their actions create tension and animosity between the girls, and they begin to realize that their behavior is not only harmful to themselves but to the rest of the class as well.
Meanwhile, Jo and Mrs. Garrett take a more practical approach. They notice that Mr. Raymond is struggling to connect with the students and offer to help him by introducing him to some of the students' interests. Jo brings him to a baseball game, and Mrs. Garrett introduces him to her favorite hobby, bird watching. Through their efforts, Mr. Raymond learns to appreciate and understand his students better, and he becomes a more effective teacher.
As the episode progresses, the girls learn the importance of working together and supporting each other. They realize that their petty squabbles are insignificant compared to the larger goal of learning and growing as musicians and individuals. In the end, Mr. Raymond chooses not to assign grades based on favoritism, but rather on merit, and each girl receives the grade they truly earned.
Overall, "Teacher's Pet" is a heartwarming episode that explores the complexities of relationships and the importance of working together. It highlights the value of practical experience as a way to bring people together and learn from each other. The episode teaches us that we should always strive to be our best selves and support others on their journey, rather than competing against them.