Ep 1. Some Children Left Behind

Mr. Iglesias is a sitcom that follows Gabriel Iglesias, a high school teacher who is comically charming and always willing to go the extra mile to help his students succeed. In season 1 episode 1 titled "Some Children Left Behind," we are introduced to Gabriel and his classroom full of diverse and quirky students at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach.

The episode begins with Principal Paula Madison reminding Gabriel that their school has a low pass rate and that they need to improve their performance in order to not be shut down. Gabriel takes this to heart and sets out to help the students who are struggling the most. He quickly learns that his classroom is full of students who come from all walks of life and are facing unique challenges.

Gabriel's first challenge is to help Anthony, a student who is constantly absent and failing all his classes. Gabriel tracks Anthony down at his house and learns that his mother is a single mom who works long hours and is rarely home to make sure he is doing his homework. Gabriel offers to tutor Anthony and work around his schedule, and he soon discovers that Anthony is dyslexic. With this knowledge, Gabriel finds new and creative ways to help Anthony learn and improve his grades.

Next, Gabriel takes on Vanessa, a bright student who is interested in pursuing a career in journalism but is struggling in English class. Gabriel gives her a writing assignment that he promises will help her get ahead in her chosen field. However, when he reads her work, he realizes that she is suffering from debilitating anxiety and is unable to finish the assignment. Gabriel helps Vanessa work through her anxiety and encourages her to believe in herself and her abilities.

Along the way, we get to know Gabriel's other students, including Marisol who is always ready to argue and challenge Gabriel, Mikey who has a secret talent for cooking, Grace who is top of the class but ashamed of being a math nerd, and Lorenzo who struggles with English but has a great sense of humor.

Overall, "Some Children Left Behind" sets the stage for the rest of the series as Gabriel takes on the challenge of helping his students succeed, while also dealing with the challenges that come with being a teacher in an underfunded school district. Through a mixture of humor, heart, and determination, Gabriel proves that he is more than just a teacher - he is a mentor and friend to his students.