Teachers in Modesto, California, are urging their school district to make changes to behavior policies as students exhibit increasing violence since returning to school after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The teachers association for Modesto City Schools highlighted the challenges faced during the transition back to in-person learning. “When COVID hit and the students were isolated, coming back to school was not easy, and the district had to do a lot of quick fixes to get these kids to come back,” said McGrath. “What’s been happening is they get counseled, and then they would come back with a bag of chips, or they would come back with a juice box or a prize. That’s rewarding them for their bad behavior.”

Both the Modesto Teachers Association and Modesto City Schools (MCS) did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago spoke to CBS about the situation, attributing some of the blame to social media and the previous remote learning model.

“We face unique challenges that require more support from families, namely the expansion of Transitional Kinder programming for students who are entering our school communities at younger ages than ever before, the increasing overstimulation from social media, and the difficulty children are having adapting to school environments,” Buitrago said. “Taking these current conditions into account, I cannot stress how urgently we need families right now. Together, we can ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.”

Buitrago emphasized that the district plans to work closely with teachers to address the issue but also called on families to help manage student behavior.

“Our discussions with the Modesto Teachers Association have been productive and focused on supporting students and the educators who serve them every day,” she said, according to CBS. “We have heard our teachers’ concerns about student behavior, and we want our community to know we are listening. Districts across our state and country are facing similar challenges, and we are working together to strengthen support for both students and staff.”

“Families are our partners in this effort, and we ask for their continued support by talking with children about expectations, monitoring social media use, and reinforcing positive behavior at home,” Buitrago added.

The rise in classroom violence following the pandemic is reflected in national data. According to the American Psychological Association, 80% of educators have reported at least one incident of verbal harassment or threatening behavior from a student. Meanwhile, an increasing number of teachers are considering quitting or transferring jobs amid these challenges.

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https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/23/breaking-point-teachers-beg-for-help-as-post-pandemic-classroom-violence-spirals/