If you love museums and enjoy interacting with children, consider becoming a docent at the Springfield Museums — the perfect way to blend teaching, learning, fun, and a true sense of community all in one role.
“Docents are volunteer museum educators who conduct tours and programs in the Museums’ galleries primarily for students in grades K-12,” said Laura Cienciwa, the Museums’ Docent Coordinator for Art and History. “Docents study the Museums’ collections and receive extensive training in how to deliver effective tours.”
In a busy year, more than 12,000 students visit the Museums. “Docents are essential to our educational programming,” said Katie Merrill, Docent Coordinator for Science. “They guide students through the galleries in a new and fun way that enhances the classroom experience.”
Many docents say they get at least as much out of the experience as they give.
“Short of bringing out a plate of just-baked chocolate chip cookies, I can’t imagine there are as many opportunities to hear ooohs and aahhhs as we docents do on a regular basis,” said Barbara Richard of Springfield, who has been a Science and Dr. Seuss docent since 2018. “Walking into a room with a Tyrannosaurus Rex triggers lots of ‘wows!’ And letting the children loose in a brightly painted, large room with a seven-hump wump is sure to elicit bug-eyed joy.
“I’m thrilled to be part of introducing area school kids to the many wonders that the Springfield Museums display,” she added.
Docent training begins in September. The training program includes hour-long classes (days and times vary according to the discipline) throughout the fall and early spring, culminating in the “graduation” of a new class of docents in June.
Because field trips are booked during school hours, the docent program is often most appealing to retirees or adults with very flexible working schedules.
“A number of years ago, I had the chance to speak to a Museums docent who was very enthusiastic about her role,” said Deb Levine of Holyoke, explaining how she became a docent in 2019 after a 45-year career as a social worker. “I decided then that it sounded like something I would really enjoy, and I tucked the idea away.
“As I approached retirement, I submitted my application — and now being a docent is one of the best parts of retirement,” she added. “There are so many wonderful things about the experience, it is hard to name one. The opportunity to learn through the docent training programs is a wonderful way to increase my knowledge — it’s like taking a course in art history. But one of the best parts is belonging to a wonderful community of people who share the same interests, enthusiasm, and love of learning.”
Docent guides are asked to give a two-year commitment and lead several tours per year based on field trip bookings, which are on Tuesday–Friday throughout the school year.
However, many docents — like John Howell of Longmeadow, who has been a history docent for 10+ years – stay on long after they’ve fulfilled their initial commitment.
In return for their time and commitment, volunteer docents receive an array of benefits, including discounts on Museum School classes and at the Museum Store; invitations to docent events and special programming; and the chance to be part of a community of other volunteers who love art, history, science, and Dr. Seuss – and love sharing their passion with others.
Interested in becoming an Art, Science, History, or Dr. Seuss docent? Visit SpringfieldMuseums.org/volunteer for more information and an application or email docents@springfieldmuseums.org.