Teachers at the crossroads: Culture, empathy, and emotional regulation in Palestinian society in Israel

This study explores how Palestinian Arab teachers in Israel navigate the intersection of cultural orientations, empathy, and emotion regulation in classroom management. Based on semi-structured interviews with 30 teachers from Arab public schools during the 2022–2023 school year, we used Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA) to examine how concepts like authority, care, and emotional control are linked in teachers' discourse. Three main profiles emerged: (1) Vertical collectivism)VC(, marked by a focus on authority and conformity, where empathy was limited and emotion regulation relied mainly on suppression to maintain discipline. (2) Horizontal collectivism)HC(, emphasizing cooperation and social harmony, where empathy—both emotional and cognitive—was more prominent, and regulation was achieved through cognitive reappraisal. (3) A hybrid approach, combining hierarchical values with empathetic responsiveness, where teachers flexibly shifted between suppression and reappraisal based on context. These patterns reflect how emotional processes are shaped by the tension between traditional norms and evolving pedagogical models. The findings highlight the need to support teachers in integrating empathy and emotion regulation within culturally grounded frameworks. Professional development programs using tools such as role-play and reflective dialogue can help teachers manage classroom dynamics effectively while respecting both authority and emotional connection.