Museum of Northern Arizona exterior

MNA RECRUITING FOR 2012 DOCENT TRAINING PROGRAM

December 30, 2011

A 37-Year Tradition of Learning • Community Building • Sharing

The Museum of Northern Arizona is recruiting for its 2012 Docent Training Program, seeking enthusiastic individuals who would like to learn and teach about the human and natural history of the Colorado Plateau.

Docents are volunteer educators who lead group tours and workshops throughout the year for school-age children, adults, and seniors.

The 2012 Docent Training Classes will meet on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., January 12 through May 10, 2012. The $175 training classes consist of expert speakers on ecology, history, geology, paleontology, archaeology, ethnology, and fine arts of the Colorado Plateau. Training on effective interpretative techniques and educational content gives docents confidence in working with the public, informal education, leading gallery tours, and customer service.

The Docent Training Program is a rewarding way to give back to your community through teaching, while learning about the land and people of our region. Docent tours range from puppet shows for preschoolers to adult gallery tours on multiple topics. Docents also have opportunities to go out into the community for school outreach programs or slide show presentations for adult groups. Throughout the year there are many opportunities for docents to interact with the public and work toward their commitment of sixty hours of service per year.

Here is what four current MNA docents say:

“MNA’s Docent Program includes many social activities with the opportunity to meet people who have similar interests, and you will share your knowledge and enthusiasm with Museum visitors.” —Phyllis Wolfskill, Docent Class of 2006

“Docent training classes are taught by some of the finest scholars, researchers, and artists in northern Arizona. And as docents, we help visitors from throughout Arizona, across the U.S., and all over the world connect with this region and its people.” ―Susan Criner, Docent Class of 2006

“It’s very rewarding to work with the tour groups that come to the Museum. They all want to learn and they ask interesting questions about the climate, cultures, and the flora and fauna of the Colorado Plateau. The challenge of answering their questions is what I find most interesting about being a docent.” —Starr Shamek, Docent Class of 2008

“I enjoy participating in the Museum’s mission of instilling love and respect for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau. As docents we present highlights tours to public school children during the week and adults on the weekends. And we give workshops on prehistoric pottery, technology, foods, rock art, Grand Canyon geology, and even owl pellets.” ―Kim Vane, Docent Class of 2009

If you are interested in interviewing to become a Museum of Northern Arizona Docent, please contact Education Program Manager Kathy Farretta at kfarretta@mna.mus.az.us or 928.774.5213, ext. 206.