<![CDATA[Optimal management of teaching and educational personnel is essential to support the improvement of professional competence and the quality of educational services. This study aims to describe the optimization of teaching and educational personnel management at SMP Cokroaminoto Kotamobagu through the perspective of Habermas. The study employed a descriptive qualitative method with a case study approach. The research subjects were selected using purposive sampling and included the principal, vice principal, 18 teachers, and 4 educational personnel, resulting in a total of 24 informants. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation, and then analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model, while the Habermasian perspective was used to understand communication processes, participation, and decision-making. The findings indicate shortages of guidance and counseling teachers, ICT teachers, administrative staff, and science laboratory technicians. IHT, technical training, and mentoring programs increased the internal UKG score from 75.2 to 83.7 and improved teachers' ability to develop digital learning media to 80%. Administrative efficiency also improved, as demonstrated by a reduction in the time required to complete BOS reports from 14 to 7 days and a decrease in Dapodik data-entry errors from 23% to 5%. Data-driven management optimization, open communication, participation, and continuous mentoring contributed to improving professional competence and the quality of school services. ABSTRAK Manajemen tenaga pendidik dan kependidikan yang optimal diperlukan untuk mendukung peningkatan kompetensi profesional dan mutu layanan pendidikan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan optimalisasi manajemen tenaga pendidik dan kependidikan di SMP Cokroaminoto Kotamobagu melalui perspektif Habermas. Penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Subjek penelitian dipilih dengan menggunakan teknik purposive sampling yang mencakup kepala sekolah, wakil kepala sekolah, 18 guru, dan 4 tenaga kependidikan, sehingga keseluruhan informan berjumlah 24 orang. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan model Miles dan Huberman, sedangkan perspektif Habermas digunakan untuk memahami proses komunikasi, partisipasi, dan pengambilan keputusan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya kekurangan guru BK, guru TIK, tenaga tata usaha, dan laboran IPA. Program IHT, bimtek, dan mentoring meningkatkan skor UKG internal dari 75,2 menjadi 83,7 serta kemampuan guru dalam membuat media pembelajaran digital hingga 80%. Efisiensi administrasi juga meningkat, ditunjukkan oleh penurunan waktu penyelesaian laporan BOS dari 14 menjadi 7 hari dan kesalahan input Dapodik dari 23% menjadi 5%. Optimalisasi manajemen berbasis data, komunikasi terbuka, partisipasi, dan pendampingan berkelanjutan mendukung peningkatan kompetensi serta mutu layanan sekolah.]]>
