|
ALIDA
DINKLAGE |
Alida, an ECHO volunteer for eight years, exemplifies what being an ECHO volunteer is all about. |
Alida Dinklage started at ECHO in 2003 and is a well
respected volunteer in our Education Department. She is very
knowledgeable about the existing ECHO exhibits such as our
Champlain Sea Tank, while continually participating in training
events to stay current on upcoming events or our rotating
exhibits like Raise the Roof. Alida's confidence and wealth of
knowledge is invaluable in training new volunteers, working with
large groups of visitors and being able to adapt to the museum's
needs on any particular day.
Alida taught seventh and eighth graders English and social
studies and decided after she retired that a switch to science
teaching through her volunteer work at ECHO would be fun. “ECHO
has meant discovery for me. Just how interesting could sea stars
possibly be? Well, I found out that they are amazingly
successful, and without a brain, too”.
Alida is especially talented at engaging visitors of all ages
at the Champlain Sea tank. She’ll get down low to the tank and
say something like “I’m noticing that this animal is moving very
slowly along the side of the tank. How do you think he can stay
on the wall like that?” She’ll listen to their answers, make her
observations, and empower the guests to share in the wonder of
this observation. It’s a magical, personal moment that makes her
such a special educator on the floor.
For more information on volunteering at ECHO, please
contact Amanda Van Vranken,
Volunteer Coordinator at 802.864.1848 ext. 116 or
volunteer@echovermont.org. |
1.802.864.1848
