School violence is a complex and worrying phenomenon. Teachers often feel unable to mediate daily conflicts, aggressions or indiscipline incidents from students, all of which affect the educational process. This study deals with social representations of violence by elementary and High School teachers of the public school system. Data was collected in interviews conducted with eight participants. The interviews were organized in thematic categories according to content analysis. Results showed different interpretations about the genesis of violence in the schools, and participants' rhetoric was not anchored in scientific knowledge. Polisemic interpretations emerged, with emphasis on psychological reductionism, as well as family, educational and fatalistic interpretations.