An exploratory study of race and religion in the emotional experience of African-American female teachers

Abstract

The study examines the emotional experience of five African-American female teachers in the Pacific northwest. The existing literature on emotion rules and teachers' emotions is referenced and critiqued for its possible misrepresentation or marginalization of teachers of color. Using interview data, the study found that race and religion shape the emotional response of teachers. The teachers tended to reference race and racism as well as their religious or spiritual beliefs to contextualize teaching experience and accompanying emotions, including the use of emotions to manage and reconceptualize their professional identities. In the end, it appears that for these African-American teachers, in particular, the intersection of race, religion and emotion serves both personal and political interests. © 2009 Springer-Verlag US.