Physics Teacher Competencies to Develop Educational Leadership Roles

The challenges of education in the Merdeka Curriculum era direct teachers to be able to develop good educational leadership, so teachers need to have four main competencies, namely pedagogical, personality, social, and professional competencies. The purpose of this study is to explore the importance of Physics teacher competencies in developing educational leadership roles. The study was conducted at SMA N 4 Surakarta using qualitative research methods including, observation, interview, and literature study. Observations and interviews were used to obtain primary data, while a literature study was used to obtain secondary data. The results of this study indicate that Physics teacher competence plays an important role in directing the learning process, motivating students, and strengthening student learning culture as a form of teacher leadership in the classroom. The implication of this study is the need to develop Physics teachers' leadership competencies through adequate training and support so that Physics teachers can play a more effective role in facing the challenges presented by the Merdeka Curriculum and strengthen the overall educational structure. Therefore, this study emphasizes the urgency of developing Physics teachers' leadership competencies as a strategic step in strengthening education in the Merdeka Curriculum era.