By Clyde Noel

Nancy Baronoski, docent coordinator for the Los Altos School District art program, was all smiles when she counted 24 visitors seated to hear about “a day in the life of an art docent.” The program needs volunteers to help teach art lessons in the Los Altos School District.

“I think it’s fabulous to see so many new faces,” said Patty Boettcher, assistant superintendent for curriculum. “This is an opportunity to work with students and teachers and express your talent. It’s a hands-on workshop designed to let students create their own art.”

The workshops are age-appropriate, geared for skill building and success. The techniques emphasized in kindergarten through sixth grade help students to successfully complete assignments later in middle school and high school.

Nancy Raniere, docent recruit chairwoman, said there are 64 docents in the program and anyone interested in art is encouraged to join.

“You don’t have to be an artist. We teach you,” Raniere said. “It’s a year of training and a year of teaching. It can be an awesome experience — teaching in the classroom where your child is. It doesn’t happen often, but it can happen.”

Several docents continue after their children graduate to middle school because they love working with the students.

Los Altos resident Ruth Wilford has been a docent for five years. “I love it,” she said. “I like art myself; and when I see the children’s faces when they look at art, I get enjoyment. Especially when they begin to appreciate art.”

Lisa Giovannetti of Los Altos is in her third year of the docent program. “It enriches me and my kids. I take my kids to museums and galleries and encourage them to make observations. That way we both understand art better.”

Training starts today, and docents will meet every Wednesday morning until March. An art show, where every child in the Los Altos School District will have a piece of art on display, is scheduled for March 31.

Raniere told the future docents, “You will be amazed how students respond to art elements. Give them a lump of clay and a few guidelines and they can make a monkey.”

Liz Rome, chairwoman for the day’s program, said a docent is never abandoned in a classroom with 30 children. “With a year of training and a year of teaching, don’t look for a perfect comfort school,” Rome said. “You will find times when you will be sent to a new school with new teachers and the only thing familiar will be the lesson. You don’t have to be an artist; you just have to enjoy art.”

Docents are asked to introduce visual art as a tool for self-expression. They develop visual arts literacy and appreciation of a common national heritage as well as of world cultures.