A high school teacher in Tennessee was pepper sprayed by a student after confiscating her cell phone. The incident, which took place last Friday at Antioch High School, was captured on video and shared on Reddit.

In the footage, the student is seen pepper spraying the teacher after he refused to return her phone. A second spray caused the teacher to fall to his knees, and the student continued to demand the return of her phone. Another teacher eventually intervened, but there appeared to be no concern for the assaulted teacher.

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The Metro Nashville Public Schools stated that the student’s actions “represent a serious violation of law and our school policies” and she has received “appropriate disciplinary consequences.”

However, this is not the first time the teacher has been assaulted during the school year. Two months ago, he was punched in the face by a student for taking away her phone during a test.

Attacks on teachers have become an increasingly common news headline. Last week, Breitbart reported that a Texas vice principal was sent to the hospital for trying to break up a fight between two students. Instead of coming to her aid, a mob quickly formed, and the students began shouting insults at her.

According to a survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center, more than four in ten educators said at least one teacher in their district had been physically assaulted or attacked by a student in the past year. Ten percent of educators said they personally had been physically assaulted or attacked by a student.

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Educators attribute the rise in violent behavior to the challenges of transitioning from remote learning during the pandemic to the classroom. As Education Week’s Laurie Langreo reported, “We’ve seen some of these behaviors before the pandemic, but we’re seeing a lot more of them now. We’re seeing more outbursts, more aggression, and more physical acts of aggression.”

The pandemic has disrupted the traditional classroom environment, and students may be struggling to adjust. Additionally, many students are dealing with trauma related to the pandemic, including illness, death, and financial hardship. Schools need to provide resources and support to help students cope with these challenges.

In addition to addressing the underlying causes of violent behavior, schools must also take steps to ensure the safety of their staff. This includes implementing clear policies and procedures for responding to incidents of violence, providing training for staff on how to de-escalate situations, and ensuring that students who engage in violent behavior face appropriate consequences.

As the recent incidents in Tennessee and Texas demonstrate, attacks on teachers are a serious problem that require urgent attention. By addressing the root causes of violent behavior and implementing effective policies and procedures, schools can help ensure the safety of their staff and create a positive learning environment for all students.