Ep 9. Hello, Ms. Chips

Welcome Back, Kotter season 2 episode 9, entitled "Hello, Ms. Chips" follows the comedic adventures of Mr. Kotter and his class of students at Buchanan High School. In this episode, Kotter's old high school teacher, Ms. Dumont, arrives unexpectedly to substitute for an absent teacher. Reminiscing on his old high school days, Kotter is excited to see one of his former teachers. But the excitement is short-lived when it becomes clear that Ms. Dumont is a boring, by-the-book teacher who fails to connect with the students.

Kotter takes it upon himself to help Ms. Dumont loosen up and engage with the class. He introduces her to his students and encourages her to get to know them on a personal level. As Ms. Dumont starts to open up and show a greater interest in her students, Kotter is pleased with the progress.

However, trouble arises when Ms. Dumont's old-fashioned teaching methods clash with the students' more modern and creative approaches to learning. The tension comes to a head when Ms. Dumont gives the class a quiz which they feel is unfair and outdated. Kotter intervenes and helps the class to negotiate with Ms. Dumont for a more fair and reasonable test.

Throughout the episode, we also see the personal struggles of the students. Epstein is dealing with the pressure of living up to his father's expectations, while Horshack is tormented by a school bully. Meanwhile, Vinnie deals with the aftermath of a failed relationship and Juan has trouble with his English language skills.

Overall, "Hello, Ms. Chips" is an episode that focuses on the importance of empathy and understanding in the classroom. It highlights the need for teachers to connect with their students on a personal level, and the importance of finding a middle ground between classic teaching methods and modern student attitudes. It's a humorous and heartwarming episode that reminds us of the power of education to bring people together and overcome obstacles.