John Dewey was an influential American philosopher and educational reformer. He defined education as the development of an individual's capacities to control their environment and fulfill their potential. Dewey saw education as a lifelong process with both psychological and sociological aspects. Some of his most important works focused on the relationship between schools and society. He advocated for a broader curriculum that emphasized total personal development over just intellectual skills. Dewey's method of teaching was based on learning by doing through hands-on activities and problem-solving related to students' lives and interests. He saw the teacher's role as a guide who helps students learn through their own experiences and discoveries.