Aspire Monarch Academy Welcomes Alameda County Office of Education Chief of Schools Eric Guthertz for Literacy Focused Observations

Last Friday, Principal Heather Hasan, Assistant Principal Casey Chong, and Director Maribel Sainez welcomed Alameda County Office of Education Chief of Schools Eric Guthertz to Aspire Monarch Academy. From the moment one walks onto campus, anyone can feel the heart of the school — the joy, the purpose, and the deep commitment to students.

With the intention of observing intentional literacy practice in action, there is so much to celebrate. Across classrooms, students demonstrated strong ownership of their learning and deep engagement in rigorous academic work. We saw rich academic discourse, confident use of vocabulary, and seamless routines that allowed learning to flow without interruption. Students passionately defended their ideas in writing and bravely shared their mathematical thinking, showing both independence and collaboration. Teachers skillfully balanced high expectations with strategic support, keeping the cognitive lift on students while guiding their growth.

As Eric Guthertz, ACOE Chief of Schools, shared:
“I felt the heart of the school the moment I walked in.”
“The visit will serve as the highlight of my week and potentially the month.”