My philosophy of education focuses on the relationship between the teacher and the student. In order to learn and be a success, the student must have a positive rapport with his teacher. I believe that in the right situation, every student can achieve and feel good about himself. The purpose of education obviously is to educate, but not to the masses by stuffing students with facts, but by teaching the individual.
Individuals learn by doing in a guided, comfortable atmosphere.
This setting puts the student as the responsible party for getting properly educated, and the teacher becomes the coach. I find favorable points of all of the four major educational philosophies, perennialism, progressivism, essentialism and existentialism. However, I find my philosophy of education falling more in the categories of existentialism and progressivism. I agree with aspects of existentialism because this view promotes freedom and responsibility for the student. The teacher attempts to create a learning environment that encourages the student to be self-disciplined and responsible.