A Synergistic Pedagogical Model: Integrating Teacher Role Modeling and Guidance to Foster Spiritual Intelligence

Spiritual intelligence has become a crucial dimension of holistic education, yet it remains underemphasized in many educational practices that prioritize cognitive achievement over spiritual development, particularly in the context of contemporary adolescent challenges. This study aims to examine the forms, processes, and impacts of teachers’ role modeling and guidance in shaping students’ spiritual intelligence at an Islamic boarding junior high school. Employing a qualitative case study design, data were collected through non-participant observations, in-depth interviews with teachers and students, and document analysis. The findings reveal that teachers’ role modeling functions as a living embodiment of spiritual values, while structured and continuous guidance fosters students’ spiritual awareness through reflective and personalized mentoring. The study further identifies that the synergy between role modeling and guidance creates a more effective and sustainable process of spiritual intelligence development compared to their isolated implementation. Supporting factors include a strong pesantren culture, close teacher–student relationships, and a conducive religious environment, whereas challenges arise from digital distractions and varying levels of students’ spiritual consistency. This study concludes that integrating role modeling and guidance offers a comprehensive pedagogical approach to strengthening students’ spiritual intelligence and provides practical insights for enhancing character education in Islamic educational institutions.