Ep 14. Mrs. Huxtable Goes to Kindergarten

Mrs. Huxtable Goes to Kindergarten is the fourteenth episode of the fifth season of The Cosby Show. The episode originally aired on January 17, 1990, and was directed by Jay Sandrich. The episode focuses on the experiences of Clair Huxtable, the matriarch of the Huxtable family, as she decides to pursue her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher.

At the start of the episode, Clair announces to her family that she has decided to take a leave of absence from her law firm to pursue a new career as a kindergarten teacher. Her family expresses both surprise and support for her decision. Clair's husband Cliff is initially skeptical but eventually comes around to the idea, offering to help her prepare for the new job. Meanwhile, Clair's children are excited about the prospect of having their mother as their teacher.

As Clair begins her teaching job, she finds it more challenging than she expected. She struggles to connect with her students and finds her lesson plans are not working as well as she had hoped. One of her students, a young boy named Erik, particularly struggles with following directions and paying attention in class.

To make matters worse, Clair's former boss at the law firm, Mr. Kirby, visits her classroom to try to persuade her to come back to work. Despite his offers of a promotion and a raise, Clair remains committed to her new career and declines his offer.

As the days go by, Clair begins to feel overwhelmed by the demands of teaching and begins to doubt her ability to succeed. She confides in her husband Cliff, who encourages her to keep going and offers to help her in any way he can.

In the end, Clair finds a way to connect with Erik and helps him improve his behavior and attention span in class. She also realizes that teaching is not as easy as she thought but that it is a rewarding and fulfilling career. She decides to continue on her new path as a teacher and is proud of her decision.

Overall, Mrs. Huxtable Goes to Kindergarten is a heartwarming and inspiring episode that highlights the challenges and rewards of pursuing a new career later in life. The episode is a testament to the strength and determination of Clair Huxtable as she faces new and daunting challenges with grace and perseverance. Fans of The Cosby Show will enjoy this episode for its humor, heart, and the strong bond between the members of the Huxtable family.