Purpose: Emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial to determine the emotional labor (EL) strategies and satisfaction of teachers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships of EI with EL strategies, emotional exhaustion and teaching satisfaction (TS) of secondary teachers in private schools. Design/methodology/approach: A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data conveniently from 322 secondary teachers working in 22 private schools. Findings: Results indicate that teachers' EI positively affect surface acting, expression of naturally felt emotions (ENFE) and TS. Surface acting and ENFE are positively related with TS. Deep acting and ENFE exhibit positive relations with emotional exhaustion of teachers. The study also confirms direct as well as indirect effects of EI on TS through surface acting and ENFE. Practical implications: This study recommends teachers to make a higher use of surface acting and ENFE because they produce the most TS and the least emotional exhaustion. Originality/value: This is the first study that examines the mediating role of EL strategies for EI and TS.