Knoxville Director of Curriculum Jill Van Woerkom says that the additional professional development time that teachers in the Knoxville School District have received has been amazing. Last school year, the Knoxville School Board approved a calendar that allows for dismissal three hours earlier than normal about once a month. Van Woerkom says that the time has been especially crucial as they transition to using the Iowa CORE curriculum next year. Overall, she says the professional development time helps ensure continued learning for educators and improves teaching ability.