Education Docent Training

Make a difference in a child’s life and become an Education Docent with Explore Buffalo! We provide tours for students, families, and special needs groups. Our participants come from the City of Buffalo as well as the surrounding suburbs. Enjoy giving tours of Canalside, Delaware Park, Downtown Buffalo, City Hall, and more.

“As a retired teacher, there is nothing more satisfying than showing school children new places – creating a unique experience and memories- and it’s fun!”

“One voice can open a city to someone seeing it for the first time.” 

“Inclusive tours change lives – often in quiet, powerful ways.” 

Education Docent Key Points

  • Required Information Session: All applicants to the 2026 Education Docent class are required to attend our Info Session on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 1pm. The Info Session will be held at Explore Buffalo’s office in First Presbyterian Church at 1 Symphony Circle.
  • Education Docents must be available during the school day – most Education Tours are scheduled on weekday mornings.
  • Education Tours are scheduled year-round. The busiest months are May, June, and October. We typically have Education Tours scheduled on almost every weekday during those three months.
  • During the months of of July and August we run our specialty programming for Special needs groups and families.

2026 Education Docent Training Schedule

All classes are in person, 10am-12pm, locations TBA. Some classes will be at Explore Buffalo’s office at 1 Symphony Circle, next to Kleinhans Music Hall; some classes will be at tour locations.

  • Tuesdays, March 24 & 31 and April 7, 14, & 21 
  • Thursdays, March 26 and April 2, 9, 16, & 23

Attendance at all classes is required. All classes proceed rain or shine. In addition to the class dates listed above, this class requires time between each class to prepare presentations and complete required readings.

At the conclusion of the class, we will schedule a Graduation Tour in April or early May when you will lead the full tour you have learned. After a successful graduation tour, you are expected to lead at least eight Education Tours in 2026.

Applying to the 2026 Education Docent Class:

Required Information Session: All applicants to the 2026 Education Docent class are required to attend the Info Session on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 1pm. The Info Session will be held at Explore Buffalo’s office in First Presbyterian Church at 1 Symphony Circle.

2026 Education Docent Class Application

All applicants will be responded to via email within a week of submitting their application. Please note that the email will be from lori@explorebuffalo.org and you will need to put this email in your contacts.