Emotion Expression Among Arab Deputy-Principals in Israel: The Key Role of the Local Culture

Abstract

The chapter aims to identify strategies used by Arab deputy-principals in Israel to manage their emotions at work. The following questions guided the research: (1) Which emotions do Arab deputy-principals tend to express and which emotions do they suppress? and (2) How do they suppress the expression of certain emotions and are the results of such suppression? In order to explore these issues, the author adopted qualitative research methodology, conducting 15 semi-structured interviews with school deputy-principals in the Arab education system in Israel. It was found that deputies described their relations with the principal and the teachers in terms of closeness, attentiveness, support, encouragement, inclusion and conflict resolution. Deputy-principals reported suppressing their emotions, because their expression might be understood as a personal weakness. They felt that an effective deputy has to conceal some or his/her unpleasant emotions (hate, anger or fear) to emphasise that the principal is the real ‘boss’ in the school. Arab cultural norms dictate that female deputy-principals cannot display their emotions in front of a male teacher and vice versa. Understanding the unique social and organisational contexts in which Arab deputies work may clarify correlations between organisational culture, professional ethics and emotion regulation. Further conclusions and implications are discussed.

Citation

Arar, K. (2019), "Emotion Expression Among Arab Deputy-Principals in Israel: The Key Role of the Local Culture", Oplatka, I. and Arar, K. (Ed.) Emotion Management and Feelings in Teaching and Educational Leadership (Studies in Educational Administration), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 111-129. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78756-010-920191005