Teachers Lived Experiences and Perceptions of School Violence and Retention

Abstract

This research explores the potential relationship between rising school violence and the ongoing mass teacher exodus in the United States from 2000 to 2023. Despite increasing rates of both teacher attrition and school violence, existing research seldom identifies violence as a primary cause of teachers leaving the profession. Drawing on a wide range of academic, government, and historical sources, this study examines the prevalence, forms, and effects of school violence including verbal, physical, and psychological aggression and its perceived impact on educators' job satisfaction and ultimately, retention. The findings indicate that while school violence is a major concern for teachers and contributes to workplace stress and dissatisfaction, more commonly cited drivers of attrition include low salaries, high workloads, political interference, and inadequate support. The research identifies a significant gap in literature regarding the direct role of school violence in teacher attrition, inducing the central research question: To what extent have experiences and perceptions of school violence influenced teacher retention decisions over the past two decades?