THE ROLE OF TEACHERS IN SHAPING STUDENTS’ CHARACTER THROUGH SOCIAL STUDIES (IPS) LEARNING

Abstract

This study aims to describe the role of teachers in shaping students’ character through Social Studies (IPS) learning. Teachers not only function as transmitters of knowledge but also serve as role models in instilling moral, social, and religious values in students. This research employs a library research method by gathering data from various literature sources such as books, journals, articles, and relevant documents related to character education and Social Studies instruction. The findings indicate that teachers make a significant contribution to character formation, particularly through exemplary behavior, habituation, and the integration of religious and social values within the learning process. Social Studies learning provides real-life contexts that enable students to understand values such as responsibility, cooperation, tolerance, environmental awareness, and citizenship. Moreover, character values aligned with Pancasila can be internalized through systematic and continuous learning activities. The discussion emphasizes that the success of character education is strongly influenced by the quality of the teacher’s role, as teachers serve as figures who are looked up to and imitated. Collaboration between schools and families is also necessary to ensure consistent value reinforcement. Thus, Social Studies learning not only enhances students’ cognitive abilities but also plays an essential role in building positive character needed in social life.