<![CDATA[The crisis of role modeling in Akidah Akhlak (Islamic Creed and Ethics) instruction has emerged as a central issue threatening the effectiveness of character education in Madrasah Tsanawiyah (Islamic junior high schools), characterized by a significant gap between the ideal objectives of ethical education and the realities of classroom practice. This study aims to identify the issues surrounding this role-modeling crisis and to formulate strategic alternatives to address it. The research employs a library research methodology, utilizing primary data sources such as accredited national journals, reputable international journals, academic books, and prior research findings. Content analysis—a systematic approach to identifying, categorizing, and interpreting relevant messages and thematic patterns across literature sources—is applied to gain a comprehensive understanding of the problem and potential solutions. The findings reveal that the crisis manifests in various forms, including a discrepancy between teachers' words and actions, a lack of consistency among teachers in upholding ethical values, and weak synergy with parents and the madrasah environment. This crisis results in low student learning motivation, a loss of teacher moral credibility, and a failure to internalize ethical values, leaving them confined to the cognitive realm. Theoretically, the study underscores that role modeling is a fundamental pillar of ethical education that cannot be replaced by other methods; practically, it advocates for reconstructing the teacher's role as an agent of exemplary conduct—one capable of adapting to the challenges of the disruption era—through strengthened personality competence, integrated teaching methods, and the cultivation of a conducive madrasah culture. The study concludes that the role-modeling crisis is a systemic issue requiring a fundamental transformation in character education practices: a shift from merely teaching about values to embodying them through tangible examples in daily madrasah life.]]>
