Too emotional to be capable? The changing nature of emotion work in definitions of ‘capable teaching’

TLDR: This article used the concept of emotional labour to understand some of the changes that are ongoing in the teaching profession, using interviews with teachers who have had their capability questioned, in the majority of cases through the threat or implementation of capability procedures.

Abstract: This article uses the concept of emotional labour to understand some of the changes that are ongoing in the teaching profession. While research has explored the impact of the new performance culture upon teachers’ work and identified a marginalisation of the caring and emotional aspects of teaching, the concept of emotional labour allows us to extend this argument. Using interviews with teachers who have had their capability questioned, in the majority of cases through the threat or implementation of capability procedures, this article draws upon newer conceptualisations of emotional labour to analyse some of the changes teachers are experiencing with the introduction of new accountability and performance systems. Utilising Bolton’s typology of different forms of emotion management in the workplace, we argue it is possible to recognise the distinctiveness of the emotion work carried out by teachers and identify why teachers’ emotion work is particularly vulnerable to the educational reforms associated wit...