THE FORMULA IS ALWAYS THE SAME . . .
Tragic Backstory
Accidental Power
Symbolic Costume
Moral Test
Transformation
. . . THE OUTCOME IS NOT.
High schooler Jack Shaw never asked for greatness.
He never asked for his uncle’s comic book collection.
He never asked for the stories—or their rules—to bleed into his life and test him in ways he never imagined.
No—he never asked for any of it.
But now—it’s asking everything of him.
English Teacher. Writer. Filmmaker.
I’m a high school English teacher with 18 years of classroom experience, helping students discover the power of their own voices through literature and storytelling. I graduated from Syracuse University’s Film Program, where I developed my passion for narrative, character, and visual storytelling.
If teaching has taught me anything, it’s that students are often the most honest storytellers in the room. Valedictorian: An Origin Story was born from that belief.
I hope you enjoy it.
Valedictorian puts the human back in superhuman
Read it. Discuss it. Question it.
In summer 2026, I had the privilege of visiting the Syracuse City School District's Building Men Program, where students connected with Valedictorian: An Origin Story. They were eager to discuss the story, ask questions, share their interpretations, and challenge one another's perspectives. Our conversations explored identity, personal responsibility, and the choices that shape who we become.
The experience reinforced my belief that contemporary fiction can engage young readers, strengthen critical-thinking skills, and encourage them to examine themselves and the world around them. Through literary analysis, evidence-based reasoning, and thoughtful discussion, Valedictorian: An Origin Story supports the New York State Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards while building skills students can carry into future coursework and beyond.