<![CDATA[The phenomenon of student character degradation in the era of globalization and digitalization poses a serious challenge in education. Technological developments and the unfiltered flow of information have resulted in a decline in students discipline, responsibility, manners, and religious values. In this context, Islamic education teachers play a strategic role as role models (uswatun hasanah) in instilling Islamic character values in the school environment. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the optimization of Islamic education teachers uswatun hasanah in shaping the character of seventh-grade students at At-Taqwa Islamic junior high school, Pamulang, south Tangerang. This study employed a qualitative approach with decscriptive methods. Data collection rechniques included observation, interviews, and documentation studies. Research informants included the vice principal for student affairs, Islamic education teachers, other subject teachers, and seventh-grade students. Data analysis employed the miles and Huberman interactive model, which encompasses data reducyion, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. Data validity was validated through source triangulation and technical triangulation. The research results indicate ythat 1) the optimization of uswatun hasanah (good examples) by Islamic religious education teachers is realized through exemplary attitudes and behaviors, such as discipline, honesty, responsibility, and consistency in the implementation of woeship and the habituation of religious activities at school. 2) the impact of these exemplary attitudes is seen in the improvement of studens religious character, discipline, politeness, and sense of responsibility in learning activities and daily life at school. 3) supporting factors for the implementation of uswatun hasanah include school policies that support religious programs, cooperation between teachers, and a religious school environment. While inhibiting factors come from students family backgrounds and less conducive outside-school environments. Abstrak Fenomena degradasi karakter peserta didik di era globalisasi dan digitalisasi menjadi tantangan serius dalam dunia pendidikan. Perkembangan teknologi dan arus informasi yang tidak terfilter berdampak pada menurunnya sikap disiplin, tanggung jawab, sopan santun, serta nilai religius peserta didik. Dalam konteks tersebut, guru Pendidikan Agama Islam memiliki peran strategis sebagai teladan (uswatun hasanah) dalam menanamkan nilai-nilai karakter Islami di lingkungan sekolah. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis optimalisasi uswatun hasanah guru Pendidikan Agama Islam dalam membentuk karakter siswa kelas VII di SMP Islam At-Taqwa Pamulang, Tangerang Selatan. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode deskriptif. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan studi dokumentasi. Informan penelitian meliputi wakil kepala sekolah bidang kesiswaan, guru Pendidikan Agama Islam, guru mata pelajaran lain, serta siswa kelas VII. Analisis data menggunakan model interaktif Miles dan Huberman yang meliputi reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Adapun teknik keabsahan data dilakukan melalui triangulasi sumber dan triangulasi teknik.Adapun hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 1) optimalisasi uswatun hasanah guru Pendidikan Agama Islam diwujudkan melalui keteladanan dalam sikap dan perilaku, seperti kedisiplinan, kejujuran, tanggung jawab, serta konsistensi dalam pelaksanaan ibadah dan pembiasaan kegiatan keagamaan di sekolah. 2) dampak dari keteladanan tersebut terlihat pada meningkatnya karakter religius siswa, kedisiplinan, sikap sopan santun, serta rasa tanggung jawab dalam kegiatan pembelajaran maupun kehidupan sehari-hari di sekolah. 3) faktor pendukung implementasi uswatun hasanah meliputi kebijakan sekolah yang mendukung program keagamaan, kerja sama antar guru, serta lingkungan sekolah yang religius, sedangkan faktor penghambatnya berasal dari latar belakang keluarga siswa dan pengaruh lingkungan luar sekolah yang kurang kondusif.]]>
