The 10 Most Influential Progressive and Spiritual Leaders in Education (Part 1)

1. Confucius (551-479 BCE). You may know him by his aphorisms. A Chinese philosopher, sage, politician, and teacher, Confucius deeply influenced Chinese culture and religion. His emphasis on character formation makes him an early proponent of virtue ethics. He taught that education was a dialectical process whereby the student learns primarily in relationship with the teacher, and by emulation of the teacher. The ultimate purpose of education, for Confucius, is the cultivation of a person’s best nature, which leads to the best kind of society.