The students may leave early on UCPS Early Release Days, but the learning doesn't stop in our schools!
Early release days provide UCPS teachers and instructional support staff with the much-needed time to collaborate, hone their skills and participate in professional development sessions -- all of which are critical to ensuring our teachers are effectively implementing teaching strategies and instructional practices.
This school year, our teachers have spent their early release days learning more about the importance of student-centered learning, a method of teaching that empowers students and shifts the focus of instruction from the teacher to the student.
After her March 7 professional development session, Fairview Elementary teacher Maegan Sloan said participating in these early release sessions are extremely beneficial for teachers and staff.
"A large part of teaching is collaboration and problem solving with peers. Very rarely is that something we get to do within a regular jam-packed school day," she said. "As educators, we are always striving to learn effective teaching practices and new strategies to reach all of our learners. These early release days provide the time and information for us to grow as professionals and better the education of our students."
