David McCullough Jr. is an American author and educator, best known for his work as a high school English teacher at Wellesley High School in Massachusetts. He gained national attention for his commencement speech in 2012, where he emphasized the importance of being ordinary and the value of hard work over the pursuit of accolades. In addition to his teaching career, McCullough is the son of the renowned historian David McCullough, and he has authored several books, including "You Are Not Special," which expands on themes from his famous speech. His work encourages students to embrace their individuality and contribute positively to society.