At this point in my education my philosophy is eclectic. Like the perennial educator, I believe the classics are important to giving the student background knowledge of some veryinfluential writers in history. The classics should not be the most important aspect of the curriculum. I tend to lean toward progressivism and essentialism. Existentialism is good as a tool during creative times in the classroom such as students keeping a journal with responses to what he or she has learned.
Children are individuals often with different needs.
I do not believe that the student will receive the full benefit of an education without all four philosophies being expressed in the learning environment.