POAC seeks volunteer instructors for Kaleidoscope Program

By Reader Staff

The Pend Oreille Arts Commission’s Kaleidoscope program will add six to eight more classrooms in the coming school year, expanding from the 2025-’26 term when 56 volunteers taught in 47 classrooms working with about 1,000 students.

Coordinated by Janelle Campasino, Molly Gentry and Daris Judd, the program is now accepting additional volunteers, who don’t need to be trained teachers or artists — just enjoy working with elementary school-aged children and value the arts. 

POAC’s mission is to facilitate quality experiences in the arts through educational programs and presentations that benefit the people of North Idaho. Kaleidoscope is a volunteer art program that brings hands-on art lessons to third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students throughout Bonner County.

Two training sessions for volunteers take place each year — one in September and the other in January. Eight lessons lasting approximately 60 minutes are taught throughout the year, one per month, in October through May.  POAC provides prepared notebooks with lesson plans, support materials and examples. All materials for lessons are found on-site. Volunteers receive training from Judd.

Full training is provided for each of the grades. The classroom teacher and volunteer agree upon scheduling, and pre-class preparation includes printing off lesson objectives and gathering materials. However, program coordinators provide all the needed supplies for each lesson.

It is encouraged to work with a partner and teach together.

To sign up, contact Janelle Campasino at [email protected], Daris Judd at [email protected] or POAC Arts Coordinator Claire Lutz at [email protected].