Teacher safety drives retention concerns |
Teachers are experiencing increased verbal and physical aggression at work, contributing to stress, safety concerns, and decisions to leave the profession. A nationally representative survey of 5,500 P-12 teachers, published in July in the Educational Researcher, a journal published by the American Educational Research Association, found that strong principal support, including clear communication and backing around student discipline, can improve teachers’ sense of safety, reduce stress, and support retention. However, administrative support alone may not be enough for teachers experiencing high levels of victimization, some of whom may have already decided to leave their jobs. Researchers recommend that schools prioritize preventative strategies, including restorative discipline, counseling, positive student-teacher relationships, and incentives for positive behavior. In contrast, exclusionary discipline and school-hardening measures, such as expulsions, metal detectors, and security cameras, were associated with higher odds of teacher victimization. With 18% of teachers surveyed in 2026 saying they were likely to leave their jobs during the 2025-26 school year, the findings suggest that schools need both supportive leadership and proactive approaches to preventing violence.
