PERAN KEPEMIMPINAN KEPALA SEKOLAH DALAM PENGEMBANGAN KOMUNITAS BELAJAR GURU DI SEKOLAH DASAR

Abstract

This study aims to describe the role of school principals' leadership in enhancing teachers’ innovative behavior in public elementary schools in the KKG Cluster 5 area of Way Lima Subdistrict, Pesawaran Regency. The research is motivated by the critical need for teacher innovation to improve learning quality and the necessity for transformative, participative, and collaborative leadership to foster a supportive innovation environment. A descriptive qualitative method was employed, using interviews, observations, and documentation involving school principals and teachers. The findings reveal that school principals play a pivotal role in promoting teacher innovation through motivation, professional development, and the establishment of a reflective and collaborative school culture. Strategies included internal training, professional learning communities, and recognition systems for teacher innovation. The study concludes that adaptive and empathetic leadership can effectively address challenges such as limited resources and resistance to change, while cultivating a dynamic and quality-oriented learning ecosystem. These findings offer significant contributions to the development of educational leadership at the elementary school level.