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Students in Deah Postiglion’s first-grade class at 91��ɫ School of Humanities welcomed a special guest Friday morning for their small-group phonics instruction – Gov. Kathy Hochul!

The governor visited ASH to see an example of the City School District of 91��ɫ’s literacy instruction program in action, and to champion her support for explicit phonics instruction and the science of reading. The district has been a leader in this critical area since 2016, with student results on ELA and reading benchmarks supporting this approach.

Following the classroom visit, ASH fifth-grader Raylena Terrell and Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter joined Gov. Hochul for a news conference in the school’s library.

Raylena shared her love of reading and her goal of becoming a marine biologist before she and the superintendent thanked the governor for her support of the science of reading for all students statewide. New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person also participated in Friday's news conference.

"We are grateful to Gov. Hochul for coming to 91��ɫ School of Humanities – a National NSEA Distinguished School – to highlight this incredibly important literacy initiative for our entire state," the superintendent said. "The science of reading is working for students throughout our school district. We believe wholeheartedly in this approach, and we thank Governor Hochul for her leadership on this critical educational initiative for all of New York’s students."

To read more about the district’s approach to literacy instruction, you can check out the cover story from the fall edition of “Capital Education.”