According to a recent survey conducted by Channel 2 Action News, a significant number of teachers have contemplated leaving their jobs due to concerns about their safety in the classroom.
We conducted a survey of nearly 1,000 participants here in Georgia, as well as over 8,000 individuals nationwide.
The survey provided us with a reliable insight into the experiences of teachers. According to the findings, two-thirds of respondents reported being subjected to a violent attack by a student.
Channel 2 investigative reporter, Justin Gray, recently had conversations with teachers from all over the state, providing them with a safe and anonymous platform to express their opinions.
In 2023, at Heritage High School in Rockdale County, a student attacked English teacher Tiwana Turner. During this incident, we managed to capture it on a cell phone camera.
According to Turner, the incident caused her to completely lose control. She mentioned that the video of the incident was viewed a staggering 65 million times.
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Georgia teachers are speaking out about the prevalence of violence in their profession, emphasizing that it extends beyond the sensationalized incidents captured in viral videos or covered in news headlines.
Turner expressed his frustration, stating, “We often lack protection and support. It can be quite challenging.”
Channel 2 Action News was curious about the challenges that teachers are currently facing, so we decided to inquire further.
“To be completely honest, I find myself terrified every single day,” expressed an anonymous metro teacher.
A staggering 61% of Georgia teachers who participated in the survey revealed that they have contemplated leaving their profession or retiring due to the distressing issue of violence against educators.
According to our survey, we reached out to teachers not only in Georgia but also across 34 states, totaling over 8,000 educators. The results were strikingly similar, with 63% of these teachers expressing their intention to leave the profession due to concerns about safety.
A high school teacher from DeKalb County, with a desire to remain anonymous, revealed that she participated in our survey after dedicating thirty years to her teaching career.
“Every day presents a constant struggle. I find myself pondering on a daily basis, ‘Is it time for me to retire?'”, expressed the DeKalb teacher.
Out of nowhere, a student struck her in the face with a metal object during the winter.
According to our survey, a significant number of Georgia teachers (66%) reported experiencing physical violence from a student at least once.
Turner endured a severe leg injury that necessitated surgical intervention and several months of rehabilitation.
Turner described the incident as deeply traumatizing, with the perpetrator demonstrating a relentless pursuit for vengeance. The experience left him severely affected, to the extent that he found it challenging to perform simple tasks independently, such as showering. Turner required constant assistance, including home health care and help with basic activities like eating.
Turner expresses that despite her physical wounds healing, she found herself unable to return to the classroom and continue working in the profession she was passionate about.
Turner expressed that he was not mentally ready to face the idea of going back to school.
According to Channel 2 Action News, Turner is not the only one facing this issue. A survey conducted in Georgia revealed that approximately 54% of teachers admitted to feeling afraid to go to school at times.
“I am always keeping a watchful eye,” expressed a teacher, highlighting the constant vigilance they feel.
Strickland mentioned that for the remainder of the academic year, the student was a regular presence in her classroom.
Turner expressed, “I have shed so many tears that I doubt there are any left.”
After conducting our 17-question survey, we presented the findings to Marietta Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera.
According to Rivera, every school district can benefit from reflecting on valuable information.
Rivera highlighted the importance of the quarterly listening sessions held in his district, where every staff member has the opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions. During these sessions, he was deeply moved by the significant number of teachers who shared their struggles and admitted to contemplating leaving the profession.
Rivera emphasized the importance of analyzing the underlying reasons for these feelings in school systems nationwide. It is crucial to proactively address these issues rather than waiting until it’s too late, as educators may have already left their profession and classrooms by then.
A year and a half following the brutal attack she endured, Turner is preparing to resume her teaching career in a different school and district. She feels a strong sense of support from the school leaders in her new environment.
Gray expressed to Turner that there is still a spark of enthusiasm in her whenever she reflects on her students.
“I miss my students,” Turner expressed, acknowledging the deep sense of longing within.
Major school districts report zero incidents
According to state data, it is surprising to see that certain major metro Atlanta school districts are reporting zero incidents of violence against teachers, despite the occurrence of high-profile attacks at their schools.
Turner was employed in Rockdale County during the time of her attack. However, the records from the state Department of Education for Rockdale County in 2023 indicate that the district did not report any incidents under the violence against teacher category for that year.
Rockdale County is not the only one facing this issue.
Atlanta Public Schools, one of the largest districts in the state, has consistently reported zero incidents each year since the state began tracking this category in 2019.
Turner emphasized the importance of reporting incidents in order to effectively document and address any potential problems within the category.
“It seems that there is no problem. And that is a significant issue. It’s a major concern,” Turner expressed.
Since 2020, Fulton County schools have not reported any incidents.
In the 22/23 school year, Gwinnett County schools reported a total of 49 incidents of violence against teachers. Cobb County reported 34 incidents, while Clayton reported 151 incidents.
According to McMahon, it becomes more challenging to devise effective solutions if we do not track anything.
Both the Rockdale and Fulton school districts have stated that they incorporate incidents of teacher attacks into other categories of violent incidents against staff members that they track and monitor.
Atlanta Public Schools provided a statement to Channel 2 Action News, stating:
At Atlanta Public Schools, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and employees above all else. We are dedicated to providing transparent and accurate data to all stakeholders. In accordance with the Georgia Department of Education Student Discipline Incident Report, we have included all battery incidents, including those involving teachers, in the designated “battery” column.
According to the State Department of Education, having knowledge of the victim’s identity enables districts to effectively implement solutions. In a statement, they emphasized the importance of accurately tracking and documenting these incidents, stating that it allows for a better understanding of the challenges educators face. By doing so, targeted strategies can be implemented to create a safer educational environment for everyone involved.