Most Relatable Characters on The Simpsons Are Not the Parents, but Guess Who?

There's no denying that The Simpsons is one of the most influential animated series ever created. Not only is it probably the longest-running show: it premiered in 1989 and is now in its 36th season, but it's safe to say that many generations have grown up watching The Simpsons.

Of course, what makes The Simpsons so great are the storylines, which are often relatable and confusing, and usually teach us valuable lessons about parenting, love, friendship, and so much more.

With the show's huge cast, it's easy to find a particular character in the show that you relate to the most, and it turns out that for many viewers, it's not the Simpsons parents or the kids.

The true heroes of the show, the ones whose personalities resonate most with viewers, are the teachers at Springfield Elementary. Their struggles, all of their quirks, and ambitions provide some of the most relatable moments in the entire series. Here are just some of the proofs.

Take Mrs. Krabappel as the first example. As a fairly important character, she represents the frustration many teachers feel when they have to face the reality of the educational system. They are stuck with a full class of kids who do not want to learn, and the administration does nothing to help. Add to that some deep personal struggles that leave her with no heart and energy to do her job with inspiration... The burnout is obvious, but she keeps trying anyway.

“Mrs Krabappel's "whatever, I tried" becomes easier and easier to relate to as time goes on,” Redditor Mutt-of-Munster said.

Another example of a struggling teacher is Mrs. Hoover. Often portrayed as disinterested and a bit out of touch, she's proof that it's just too hard to be engaged in everything that’s going on. And even the hardworking student like Lisa Simpson serves as a trigger, but not an inspiration. Though sometimes we still see Mrs. Hoover being passionate about something related to teaching. These are the moments when we realize that she is in it for the long haul, even if she seems to hate it.

And let's not forget Principal Skinner, who is constantly challenged not only by Bart, but also by the educational system in the face of Superintendent Chalmers. While he may come across as a boring guy who just wants everyone to play by the rules, Skinner's struggles to establish his authority and balance the stresses of his job with his personal life make him a relatable character as well.

After all, it seems like they all just wanted to be happy at work and at home. Is that too much to ask?