The State of Texas has seen its teachers leave the profession over recent years, and according to a report from Houston CBS affiliate KHOU, a rise in student violence has added to the exodus. 

The station reported that numerous studies revealed hundreds of thousands of educators are now in a different career field, with the COVID-19 pandemic having factored significantly to their departures.

Ex-teacher Amina Emejdoubi permanently walked away from the classroom after 10 years when a student attacked her, KHOU reported. 

“I was physically assaulted," Emejdoubi told the station. "A kid threw a rock at me when I was teaching.” 

Those like Emejdoubi claimed administrators neglected to provide support and safety, KHOU reported.

“I know a lot of people who’ve left education and people thinking of leaving education,” she added. 

The Texas Tribune reported late last year that an online survey of 1,291 teachers conducted by the nonprofit Charles Butt Foundation showed growing teacher dissatisfaction. 

At the beginning of the soon-to-be ending 2022-2023 academic year, public school districts statewide found themselves attempting to fill vacate positions in response to the teacher shortage.

The survey involved those on the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) 2020 roster of teachers, with 77% divulging they seriously considered finding other work last year, per the publication. 

It was an increase in the last two years, which Charles Butt Foundation president Shari B. Albright described as “a huge, startling number.” 

“We need for our public schools to not only survive, but thrive and flourish,” Albright said in the report.

One HISD teacher who was the victim of an alleged assault at the hands of a student said it won’t deter them from teaching.

KHOU reported that a student punched Lamar High School teacher Steve Carpenter in the face late last month.

"This is one kid, that’s it, you know," Carpenter said, according to the station. "One kid who didn’t know how to handle his frustration.”