She assumes that because she finds it embarrassing, she must save him from it.
"Story Samurai" reminds us that trying too hard to be "cool" or "tough" often gets in the way of being effective. Whether you're a teacher in a Philly public school or just someone trying to find your footing, the most "badass" thing you can do is own your story—sword, tiger suit, and all. [S2E3] Story Samurai
The heart of the blog post—and the episode—is the friendship between Janine and Jacob. Fearing that the other teachers and students will mock Jacob for his connection to the group, Janine tries to "protect" him by manipulating him into not performing. She assumes that because she finds it embarrassing,
The Art of the "Cringe": Owning Your Story at Abbott Elementary [S2E3] Story Samurai