. >> it comes from dochere, or docere, which is latin. it means educator or teacher, and it's a word used frequently at museums to describe somebody who's not just a teacher, where they profess or teach something, but they really engage their audience. >> reporter: engaging the audience is key. that's why the docent training program puts a strong emphasis on good communication. >> i've learned leadership skills, i've also learned how to speak in front of people without, you know, being afraid. >> when we came in and when we began building homes. >> i like all of it. but if i had to pick a favorite part, it would be the actually working, the getting in there with the visitors and helping them. >> they learn to be leaders, they lead each other, they lead groups, and then eventually they lead in the community. >> we have over two hundred students who have gone through the program over the years. on average, students stay in the program for about five years. >> reporter: next year, this museum will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discov