The Teen Docents are high school students interested in learning about art and the art museum experience. They train during the summer to lead interactive tours for children and families. Their training helps them prepare questions, think on their feet in front of an audience, and accept and encourage multiple interpretations of a work of art. Free art classes (from the Danforth's Portfolio and Teen Programs) increase their understanding of the processes and materials involved in the creation of art. At the same time, Teen Docents get a behind-the-scenes perspective on how the museum functions by meeting staff members and notable guest speakers from the art world.