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As part of the Sunshine Committee’s Mission In 2024-25 we are going to show recognition for the contribution by one or more docents each month with a write-up in the Palette Newsletter. The purpose is to share achievements, challenges and any tips for future participation by docents.
This month, the Art Docents would like to highlight Priya Vijaykumar and Sherry Cohen. Sherry and Priya are relatively new Art Docent members, both having completed their training in December 2023.
Priya
We are grateful to Priya for her ongoing consistency and reliability—and the smile she always has on her face. As we discovered, there is a reason behind Priya’s smile.
“It’s so heartening to be in the classroom with the kids because their energy is so contagious,” she said. “I’m really glad that I chose to become an Art Docent, and I always feel so happy after teaching.”
For Priya, being an Art Docent is all about having fun. With every lesson she picks up, Priya spends time doing additional background research, becoming a student herself. She then decides on one or two items of interest that she can add to the lesson. She likes to think of a “hook” that will pique her students’ interest and get them exited to share their newfound knowledge at home.
“I’m so happy to be a part of this community,” she said. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Sherry
We also admire Sherry’s courage in overcoming her fear of teaching. She was initially reluctant to sign up for classes, but she made a conscientious decision to put her hesitance aside and dive right in with both feet. Since then, she has been teaching every month.
“I made myself do it—I just jumped in,” she said. “ I was modeling it for my son.”
As a first step, she began observing the lessons that she planned to teach, and she armed herself with a clipboard when going into the classroom. These strategies helped bolster her confidence, and she was soon able to relax and have fun.
“We have a great opportunity to positively impact kids through art,” she said. “My children were exposed to art while they were growing up, and this contributed to their love and passion for the arts.”
Thank you Priya and Sherry for being a part of our wonderful community!
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