<![CDATA[This study aims to analyze the influence of transformational leadership and organizational support on teacher performance, both directly and through work motivation as a mediating variable. The study employed an explanatory quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, involving all teachers at SMKN 1 Rao Selatan as respondents (census method, n = 67). Data were collected via a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with the assistance of SmartPLS 4. The results of the hypothesis testing showed that transformational leadership has a positive and significant effect on work motivation (β = 0.596; p < 0.001), and work motivation has a positive and significant effect on teacher performance (β = 0.595; p < 0.001). Conversely, the direct effects of transformational leadership on teacher performance, organizational support on work motivation, and organizational support on teacher performance were not significant. Mediation analysis confirmed that work motivation partially mediates the effect of transformational leadership on teacher performance (indirect effect = 0.354; p = 0.018; VAF = 53.88%), but does not mediate the effect of organizational support on teacher performance. These findings indicate that work motivation is a key mechanism linking school principal leadership to teacher performance; therefore, strengthening work motivation should be a priority in school management strategies aimed at improving teacher performance in the context of vocational education.]]>
