Digital Literacy Narrative By: Megan Crandall

Everyone encounters a teacher at some point in his or her education career who makes them want to succeed. I experienced this phenomenon in my tenth grade English class at Shenendehowa High School.

My teacher was John Salls, the epitome of a great educator. Mr. Salls was seldom without a smile on his face and expected nothing but the very best from his students.

I’ll never forget desperately trying to find Mr. Salls’ class room on the first day of school and showing up ten minutes late; I was mortified.

Mr. Salls recognized potential in my writing and pushed me to put more effort in. Although I originally met his outward encouragement with resistance and annoyance, I grew to embrace his suggestions.

We read several literary classics including The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, and Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

In a bridge between our Shakespeare and public speaking units, I remember having to memorize lines of a Shakespeare piece and recite them in front of the class. I memorized a portion of Romeo and Juliet that I can still preform to this day because I studied it so much.

The harsh, unwelcoming appearance of the room was almost comically different from the colorful, bright teachers who taught in it.

I spent hours reading, studying, writing, and revising just to top what I had previously done.

This new attitude transferred to my other classes as well as most everything I did outside of school and helped me achieve things I never thought I could.

“I like your shirt Salls” I told him as I collected my list, “It reminds me of Dunkin Donuts.” Mr. Salls chuckled and said “Thanks Crandall, most people just tell me it’s ugly”

When I look back at my education thus far, Mr. Salls stands out as a truly ‘great’ teacher, a mentor, a friend, and even wrote my college recommendation letters.

I will never forget the impact Mr. Salls had on my education and how that has carried through in every aspect of my life.