Abstract: This study aims to test an empirical model of the influence of Teacher Instructional Leadership (KIG) and Learning Media Management (PMP) on Student Character Strengthening (PKS), mediated by Student Motivation (MS), at the elementary school level. The method used is quantitative with a Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach using SmartPLS 4.0. Data was collected through questionnaires from elementary school students. The results indicate that KIG and PMP have no significant direct influence on PKS. However, PMP has a very strong influence on MS (path coefficient 0.726; p=0.000) , and MS has a very strong influence on PKS (path coefficient 0.734; p=0.000). The influence of KIG on MS is significant, but categorized as small. Overall, Student Motivation is proven to be the key mediator, connecting KIG and PMP with PKS. The model exhibits very strong predictive power (R-Square PKS = 0.776). It is concluded that character strengthening is most effectively achieved through increasing students' internal motivation, with the management of interactive learning media being the most dominant factor. It is suggested that teachers optimize interactive learning media and implement instructional approaches focused on building students' intrinsic motivation. Keywords: Teacher Instructional Leadership, Learning Media Management, Student Motivation, Character Strengthening, PLS-SEM. Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan menguji model empiris pengaruh Kepemimpinan Instruksional Guru (KIG) dan Pengelolaan Media Pembelajaran (PMP) terhadap Penguatan Karakter Siswa (PKS), dimediasi oleh Motivasi Siswa (MS), pada jenjang sekolah dasar. Metode yang digunakan adalah kuantitatif dengan pendekatan Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) melalui SmartPLS 4.0. Data dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner dari siswa sekolah dasar. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa KIG dan PMP tidak memiliki pengaruh langsung yang signifikan terhadap PKS. Namun, PMP memiliki pengaruh yang sangat kuat terhadap MS (jalur koefisien 0,726; p=0,000) , dan MS memiliki pengaruh yang sangat kuat terhadap PKS (jalur koefisien 0,734; p=0,000). Pengaruh KIG terhadap MS adalah signifikan, namun tergolong kecil. Secara keseluruhan, Motivasi Siswa terbukti menjadi mediator kunci, menghubungkan KIG dan PMP dengan PKS. Model menunjukkan kemampuan prediksi yang sangat kuat (R-Square PKS = 0,776). Disimpulkan bahwa penguatan karakter paling efektif dicapai melalui peningkatan motivasi internal siswa, di mana pengelolaan media pembelajaran interaktif menjadi faktor paling dominan. Disarankan agar guru mengoptimalkan media pembelajaran interaktif dan menerapkan pendekatan instruksional yang berfokus pada pembangunan motivasi intrinsik siswa. Kata kunci: Kepemimpinan Instruksional Guru, Pengelolaan Media Pembelajaran, Motivasi Siswa, Penguatan Karakter, PLS-SEM.
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