School Culture as a Mediating Variable in the Relationship between Democratic Leadership, Teacher Work Ethic, and Teacher Performance at SMKN 1 Batu

Abstract

Improving teacher performance is a fundamental aspect of achieving high-quality education, as it contributes significantly to the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process and the successful attainment of students' competencies. This study aims to examine the effects of school principals' democratic leadership and teachers' work ethic on teacher performance by considering school culture as a mediating variable. The study employed a quantitative approach using an explanatory research design involving all 52 teachers at SMKN 1 Batu, who were selected through the total sampling technique. Data were collected using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS software. The findings reveal that school principals' democratic leadership has a positive and significant effect on both school culture and teacher performance. Similarly, teachers' work ethic has a positive and significant influence on school culture and teacher performance. Furthermore, school culture positively affects teacher performance and serves as a significant mediating variable in the relationships between democratic leadership, teachers' work ethic, and teacher performance. These findings indicate that improving teacher performance requires participative leadership, a strong work ethic, and a supportive school culture. The study provides practical implications for school administrators in designing strategies to improve educational quality through strengthening democratic leadership, enhancing teachers' work ethic, and fostering a sustainable school culture.

Keywords: democratic leadership, teacher work ethic, school culture, teacher performance.