Facilitator Teacher?

As I continue my journey of discovery on the teaching approaches I now find the facilitator approach. When I think facilitator I think someone that just lets it happen and observes, in a way that is this style. The facilitator approach is an approach to teaching were the teacher focuses on the students as people, and encourages growth. It works to connect what the student knows to what is being taught. This approach is dependent on the teacher knowing the students and working to help them grow. It is base on respect and working with students. It sounds like a great idea, know your students, help them grow, sounds great. But to me when I here this I think more of a friend than a teacher and I cannot see that working. I see a classroom focused on individuals not specific content that is a little on the hectic side because the authority is more in a friend view. But respect is a big part so I may be wrong. I think reaching standard when in this style has to be incredibly difficult. How do you reach measured marks when the concern is only on individual student growth? I cannot see this idea. I do like that it focuses on the individual. If you take the time to get to know someone there is a good chance they will be more comfortable working hard and talking to you. If a teacher can get a student to do those things I do see great growth happening. This approach is a mystery to me, how can it be used in a standard driven education system, how can this be used to reach all student students? Maybe I like structure a little too much to see this as being good. But if I have a chance to give this a try in the correct classroom environment I just might give it a shot.