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What kind of background and experience does one need to be a docent?
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Living Classroom has comprehensive lesson plans for our lessons, and provides trainings on the lessons before docents begin leading lessons. As part of their training, docents will often observe and assist with a lesson. Due to the nature of the science content, the organization tends to attract people with a background in science, teaching, nature education, and gardening, but this is certainly not a requirement. We welcome all community members with their varied experiences and perspectives.
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What kind of time commitment is involved?
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We are quite flexible, and ask for a minimum commitment of teaching 2 lessons per month, which works out to be about 4 hours of your time. As you begin to observe and assist with lessons, you can choose your own schedule and select the lessons/grade levels that you are interested in teaching. Our active docents usually give about 2-4 hours a week, depending on availability, but it is really up to you, and how much time you want to give.
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How long does a session with a class last? Are the sessions set up for particular days of the week or times of the day?
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A class lesson is usually 1 hour long. You want to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance and leave some time for clean up, so that makes it about 1.5 hours. Add travel time to make it about a 2 hour commitment per lesson. Lessons are scheduled by the teachers, and are taught on Monday afternoons - Friday, during school hours, approximately 8:00am-3:00pm.
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How do you decide what grade level a docent works with?
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Docents commit to the lessons they are available to teach, and thus can choose the grade level which they are most comfortable with. Our organization serves students in Transitional Kindergarten through Middle School..
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Do you work with the teacher or do you handle the whole class yourself?
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Living Classroom docents can lead the entire lesson or assist, but the teacher is present and acts in a supportive role and parent volunteers are often present to help as well. Docents are not responsible for student discipline, but are trained in classroom management techniques and teaching strategies to promote a positive environment and high student engagement.
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Interested? Click the button at right to complete the Docent Volunteer Information form.
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