Transformational Leadership and Collaborative Teacher Learning: Building Readiness for Deep Learning in Primary Education

Authors

  • Nurfitriani Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda, Indonesia
  • Hasan Baharun Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia
  • Dita Yovieta Dewi Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda, Indonesia
  • Laura Paramita Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda, Indonesia
  • Rizki Amelia Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/jsse.v3i1.1300

Keywords:

Transformational Leadership, Teacher Professional Development, Teacher Working Groups, Deep Learning

Abstract

This study examines how transformational leadership supports teacher readiness for Deep Learning (Pembelajaran Mendalam, PM) through regular Teacher Working Group (Kelompok Kerja Guru, KKG) activities in a Model School in Indonesia. A qualitative single-case study was conducted at school. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the principal and a fifth-grade teacher, along with document analysis of the school's vision and mission statements, KKG invitations, attendance records, meeting minutes, and photographs. Data were analyzed through data condensation, display, and conclusion verification. The findings reveal that the principal supports teacher development by communicating a shared vision, facilitating collaborative learning, providing reflective supervision, mapping professional needs, and adapting guidance to teachers' readiness. KKG provides opportunities for experience sharing and instructional reflection, although consistent classroom implementation and student learning outcomes remain unverified. The study concludes that professional development becomes more meaningful when leadership connects shared direction, teacher participation, and practical follow-up. The findings imply that principals should strengthen collaborative planning, document instructional changes, and evaluate improvement using classroom evidence and student learning outcomes.

References

Abbaspour, F., Hosseingholizadeh, R., & Bellibaş, M. Ş. (2024). Uncovering the Role of Principals in Enhancing Teacher Professional Learning in a Centralized Education System. International Journal of Educational Management, 38(3), 873–889. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-12-2023-0654

Adams, E. K., Nathan, A., Trost, S. G., Schipperijn, J., Shilton, T., Trapp, G., Maitland, C., Thornton, A., McLaughlin, M., & George, P. (2023). Play Active Physical Activity Policy Intervention and Implementation Support in Early Childhood Education and Care: Results from a Pragmatic Cluster Randomised Trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20(1), Article 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-023-01442-0

Adeoye, M. A., Prastikawati, E. F., & Abimbowo, Y. O. (2024). Empowering Learning: Pedagogical Strategies for Advancing 21st Century Skills and Quality Education. Journal of Nonformal Education, 10(1), 10–21. https://doi.org/10.15294/jone.v10i1.1451

Alazmi, A. A., & Hammad, W. (2023). Modeling the Relationship between Principal Leadership and Teacher Professional Learning in Kuwait: The Mediating Effects of Trust and Teacher Agency. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 51(5), 1141–1160. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432211038007

Alzoraiki, M., Ahmad, A. R., Ateeq, A., & Milhem, M. (2024). The Role of Transformational Leadership in Enhancing School Culture and Teaching Performance in Yemeni Public Schools. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1413607

Arifin, M., Jazilurrahman, J., & AS, A. H. (2025). Continuous Improvement in Learning Innovation Management to Enhance Students’ Learning Motivation. Business and Applied Management Journal, 3(1), 168–182. https://doi.org/10.61987/bamj.v3i1.1302

Brown, C., Reyes, P., McKenzie, L., DeMatthews, D., & Woulfin, S. (2024). Principals’ Instructional Leadership and Support Needs in Prekindergarten and Kindergarten: A Case Study in Texas. AERA Open, 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584241288834

Dogan, S., Nalbantoglu, U. Y., Celik, I., & Agacli Dogan, N. (2025). Artificial Intelligence Professional Development: A Systematic Review of TPACK, Designs, and Effects for Teacher Learning. Professional Development in Education, 51(3), 519–546. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2025.2454457

Elihami, E., & Melbourne, M. (2023). The Development Teacher Role and Counseling at Madrasah Ibtidaiyyah. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v0i0.19454

Enworo, O. C. (2023). Application of Guba and Lincoln’s Parallel Criteria to Assess Trustworthiness of Qualitative Research on Indigenous Social Protection Systems. Qualitative Research Journal, 23(4), 372–384. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-08-2022-0116

Fantinelli, S., Cortini, M., Di Fiore, T., Iervese, S., & Galanti, T. (2024). Bridging the Gap between Theoretical Learning and Practical Application: A Qualitative Study in the Italian Educational Context. Education Sciences, 14(2), Article 198. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14020198

Fernandes, S., Araújo, A. M., Miguel, I., & Abelha, M. (2023). Teacher Professional Development in Higher Education: The Impact of Pedagogical Training Perceived by Teachers. Education Sciences, 13(3), Article 309. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13030309

Funa, A. A., & Gabay, R. A. E. (2025). Policy Guidelines and Recommendations on AI Use in Teaching and Learning: A Meta-Synthesis Study. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, Article 101221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101221

Guskey, T. R., & Link, L. J. (2019). Exploring the Factors Teachers Consider in Determining Students’ Grades. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 26(3), 303–320. https://doi.org/10.1080/0969594X.2018.1555515

Hefniy, H., Azizah, N., Zahro, F., Baharun, H., Tohet, M., & Widat, F. (2025). Assistance in the Use of YouTube Kids as a Creative Learning Resource for Educators and Education Staff. Communautaire: Journal of Community Service, 4(1), 14–24. https://doi.org/10.61987/communautaire.v4i1.834

Indriani, L., Ari, D., Sahid, N., Hadi, K., & Rahardi, P. (2023). Teacher Professional Development: “Be a Force for Good.” Journal of Community Service and Empowerment, 4(3), 500–511. https://doi.org/10.22219/jcse.v4i3.28191

Ingram, J., Stiff, J., Cadwallader, S., Lee, G., & Kayton, H. (2023). PISA 2022: National Report for England. UK Department for Education.

Kallio, J. (2024). Deeper Professional Learning: How Leaders Design for Teachers to Share Their Deeper Learning Practices. Journal of Educational Administration, 62(1), 73–90. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-03-2023-0051

Kaya, A. (2024). The Association between Transformational Leadership and Teachers’ Creativity: Professional Resilience and Job Satisfaction as Mediators. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1514621. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1514621

Kraft, M. A., Schueler, B. E., & Falken, G. T. (2024). What Impacts Should We Expect from Tutoring at Scale? Exploring Meta-Analytic Generalizability. Review of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543261446660

Laila, A., Agustina, L., & Siswanto, H. (2025). Development of Augmented Reality Learning Media to Increase Elementary School Students’ Scientific Literacy Ability. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3142(1). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0262586

Lan, M., & Zhou, X. (2025). A Qualitative Systematic Review on AI-Empowered Self-Regulated Learning in Higher Education. npj Science of Learning, 10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-025-00319-0

Lestari, S. W., Lestari, W., & Irfani, K. S. (2026). Continuous Professional Development Based on Participatory Action Research: A Model for Improving the Quality of Active, Reflective and Collaborative Teachers. Veredas do Direito, 23, Article e234745. https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23i4.4745

Levin, O. (2024). Simulation as a Pedagogical Model for Deep Learning in Teacher Education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 143, Article 104571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104571

Lichand, G., Lopes, L., & Allums, S. (2026). Reading Ability Conflates SES Creativity Gaps. npj Science of Learning, 11(1), Article 22. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-026-00404-y

Mulyadi, M., Mar’atun Sholihah, S., Sahrizal Vahlevi, & W. S. (2025). School Management Strategies for Implementing Deep Learning in Indonesian Junior High Schools. Business and Applied Management Journal, 2(2), 134–145.

Munawaroh, S., Murniati, N. A. N., & Supandi, S. (2026). Managerial Supervision and School Priority Indicators: Bridging Budget Accountability and Learning Quality in Indonesian Elementary Schools. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 5(2), 3204–3213. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v5i2.3637

Nasrullah, M. H. (2026). Transformational Leadership and Intellectual Stimulation for Sustainable Santripreneurship: A Case Study of Islamic Boarding Schools in Lamongan, Indonesia. ADILLA: Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi Syari’ah, 9(1), 161–179. https://doi.org/10.52166/adilla.v9i1.5908

Pangestika, I., Karsono, K., & Musadad, A. A. (2026). Integrating Transformational and Instructional Leadership to Support Deep Learning in Elementary Schools: A Systematic Review. Social, Humanities, and Educational Studies (SHES): Conference Series, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.20961/shes.v9i1.117892

Pratiwi, M. D., Hernawan, A. H., & Fadillah, A. F. (2025). Coding and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Learning in Teachers’ Perspective. Curricula: Journal of Curriculum Development, 4(1), 449–464. https://doi.org/10.17509/curricula.v4i1.83623

Putri, A., Fathurohman, I., Fajrie, N., & Utaminingsih, S. (2026). Curriculum Management Based on Deep Learning: The Role of Teacher and Student Participation in Elementary Schools under the Merdeka Curriculum. Elicit Journal of Education Studies, 2(2), 192–199. https://doi.org/10.65820/ejes-15vol2-issue2-2026

Qu, Y., Liu, S., Shao, Y., & Li, G. (2025). Moral Leadership and Professional Learning Communities: The Mediating Role of Teachers’ Trust in Principals and the Moderating Role of Principals’ Controlling Behavior. Psychology in the Schools, 62. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.23398

Rasmitadila, Rachmadtullah, R., Prasetyo, T., Humaira, M. A., Sari, D. A., Samsudin, A., Nurtanto, M., [additional author information incomplete], & ZamZam, R. (2025). Professional Development for Indonesian Elementary School Teachers: Increased Competency and Sustainable Teacher Development Programs. F1000Research, 13, Article 1375. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.156946.2

Robinson, V. M. J. (2010). From Instructional Leadership to Leadership Capabilities: Empirical Findings and Methodological Challenges. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 9(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700760903026748

Sliwka, A., Klopsch, B., Beigel, J., & Tung, L. (2024). Transformational Leadership for Deeper Learning: Shaping Innovative School Practices for Enhanced Learning. Journal of Educational Administration, 62(1), 103–121. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-03-2023-0049

Stahl, N. A., & King, J. R. (2026). Understanding and Using Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research. Learning Assistance Review (TLAR), 30(2), 51.

Sun, J., & Leithwood, K. (2015). Direction-Setting School Leadership Practices: A Meta-Analytical Review of Evidence about Their Influence. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 26(4), 499–523. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2015.1005106

Suratman, S., & Sugiyono, S. (2025). The Mediating Role of Teachers’ Digital Competence in the Relationship between Curriculum Management and Smart Learning. Business and Applied Management Journal, 3(2), 315–326. https://doi.org/10.61987/bamj.v3i2.1646

Susanti, D., Safitri, S. D., Faizin, F., Sanjani, M. A. F., & Lateh, M. (2025). Eradicating Bullying, Creating a Safe and Comfortable Learning Environment through Child-Friendly Schools. Early Childhood Development Gazette, 2(1), 38–48. https://doi.org/10.61987/gazette.v2i1.608

Taylor, R. (2026). Rethinking Deep Learning in Education: Toward Humanist Onto-Epistemologies in an Age of AI. Studies in Philosophy and Education, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-026-10082-3

Thornhill-Miller, B., Camarda, A., Mercier, M., Burkhardt, J.-M., Morisseau, T., Bourgeois-Bougrine, S., Vinchon, F., El Hayek, S., Augereau-Landais, M., Mourey, F., Feybesse, F., Sundquist, D., & Lubart, T. (2023). Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration: Assessment, Certification, and Promotion of 21st Century Skills for the Future of Work and Education. Journal of Intelligence, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11030054

Vu, Q. T., Ta, H. V., Le, M., Do, D. H., & Phan, T. T. (2026). School Culture as a Strategic Organizational Asset: Educators’ Perceptions across Key Institutional Dimensions. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 8(12). https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2026933

Wang, X., Yang, L., Chen, K., & Zheng, Y. (2023). Understanding Teacher Emotional Exhaustion: Exploring the Role of Teaching Motivation, Perceived Autonomy, and Teacher-Student Relationships. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1342598. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1342598

Widiyan, A. P., & Takayoshi, M. (2024). School Principals’ Support for Teachers’ Professional Development in Indonesia and Japan. Jurnal Akuntabilitas Manajemen Pendidikan, 12(2), 108–117. https://doi.org/10.21831/jamp.v12i2.78882

Yu, X., & Jang, G. (2024). A Framework for Transformational Leadership to Enhance Teachers’ Work Performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1331597. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1331597

Zafar, S., & Akram, M. (2025). Measure the Relationship between Instructional Leadership and Professional Development of Teachers. Journal of Information Management and Practices, 5(1), 113–131.

Zamiri, M., & Esmaeili, A. (2024). Strategies, Methods, and Supports for Developing Skills within Learning Communities: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Administrative Sciences, 14(9), Article 231. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14090231

Zhan, Z., Li, T., & Ye, Y. (2024). Effect of Jigsaw-Integrated Task-Driven Learning on Students’ Motivation, Computational Thinking, Collaborative Skills, and Programming Performance in a High-School Programming Course. Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 32. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22793

Zorde, O., & Lapidot-Lefler, N. (2025). Sustainable Educational Infrastructure: Professional Learning Communities as Catalysts for Lasting Inclusive Practices and Human Well-Being. Sustainability, 17(7), Article 3106. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073106

Downloads

Published

2026-10-17

How to Cite

Nurfitriani, Baharun, H., Dewi, D. Y., Paramita, L., & Amelia, R. (2026). Transformational Leadership and Collaborative Teacher Learning: Building Readiness for Deep Learning in Primary Education. Journal of Social Studies and Education, 3(1), 128–146. https://doi.org/10.61987/jsse.v3i1.1300

Issue

Section

Articles