John Taylor Gatto was an American author, school teacher, and public figure. After a career spanning nearly 30 years in education, he turned to writing books that examined and critiqued American schools. His work focuses on the structure and philosophy of compulsory schooling in the United States. Gatto is best known for two major works: Dumbing Us Down: the Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling and The Underground History of American Education: A Schoolteacher's Intimate Investigation Into the Problem of Modern Schooling. Through these books, he promotes alternative approaches to education including self-study, unschooling, and homeschooling. His perspective draws from his extensive experience as a classroom teacher, giving his critique an insider's viewpoint.