For Educators

Resources for K-12 Teachers

GCV&M wants to honor all of the hard work and effort put in by K-12 school teachers and administration. We offer free admission benefits, educational workshops, and social gatherings. We also have funding to help with field trip costs. See below for details. 

For questions or more information, contact education@gcv.org

K-12 Benefits

FREE ADMISSION – Planning a field trip? Scoping out all that the museum has to offer? K-12 teachers receive FREE general admission Wednesdays – Sundays during regular hours! Please send an email before you arrive to: education@gcv.org and be prepared to show a school ID or badge at the Admissions Booth. 

FREE WORKSHOPS – these vary from academic lectures to half-day thematic workshops. See below for upcoming workshops.

FREE TEACHER SOCIALS – explore behind the scenes, hands-on experiences meant to build relationship and community. K-12 teachers work so hard, and we want to honor you! Most socials include snacks and beverages. See below for upcoming socials.

Workshop: Borderland Blacks lecture

Sunday, May 25 | 1 p.m.

Join us for an in-person lecture and Q&A with dann j. Broyld, Associate Professor of African American History at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, as he presents fascinating stories from his book Borderland Blacks: Two Cities in the Niagara Region during the Final Decades of Slavery (purchase copy hereDr. Broyld will take us on a journey through the powerful experiences of Black Communities during the Civil War era living along the U.S.-Canada Border.

Registration includes FREE daytime admission to our Civil War event, Muster at Mumford.

Workshop: Haudenosaunee Influence of the Women's Movement

Saturday, June 7 | Timing TBD

Lecture by Sally Roesch Wagner. CTLE credits offered for attendees.

Tickets are free for teachers, registration includes FREE daytime admission to the museum. 

Workshop: Voices & Votes

Saturday, July 19 | Timing TBD

Presented by New York State Office of Culture & Education and GCV&M, this workshop aims to help teachers gain the skills to incorporate museum exhibitions into classrooms and curriculums, like the Smithsonian’s Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, which GCV&M will host from June 3 – July 25.  

CTLE credits offered to attendees. Virtual on on-site options available. 

Teacher Advisory Board

We are currently accepting applications for the 2025 – 2026 school year!

Provide feedback on existing programs and help us to generate new ideas. In addition to creating a new community of excited and involved teachers, board members receive a family member, free field trip, and free moveable. 

Grant Funding

Various generous donors allow GCV&M to offer limited grant funding to schools that meet certain qualifications. 

For the 2024-2025 School Year:

  • FREE programs for RCSD public schools, public charter schools, or out-of-school programs serving Rochester City kids.
    • This is limited to 2 programs per grade in a school.
    • A program is a field trip to the museum OR an in-classroom moveable.
    • FREE First Student busing is available for museum field trips.
  • FREE admission for schools who have a 50% or more economically disadvantaged student population
    • This is limited to 1 program per grade in a school. 
    • A program can be a field trip to the museum OR an in-classroom moveable.
    • Currently includes in-classroom moveable presentations, but there are restrictions particular to this request, so please reach out! Education@gcv.org
    • Eligibility is determined using NYSED
  • FREE admission and support with transportation for Western New York counties including, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans counties. 
    • Limited to 1 program per grade in a school.
    • Currently includes in-classroom moveable presentations, but there are restrictions particular to this request, so please reach out! Education@gcv.org 

Contact Education@gcv.org to learn more.

FAQs

Does my school qualify for grant funding?

Various generous donors allow GCV&M to offer grant funding to schools that meet certain qualifications. All RCSD schools, including public charters, are eligible for free student admission and transportation. Any rural/suburban school district where 50% or more students qualify for free/reduced lunch is also eligible for free student admission. Each teacher at qualifying schools can use these grants for two programs per academic year.

How much do parent chaperones have to pay?

The cost of chaperone admission is $13/individual. Chaperones will pay upon arrival at the admissions tunnel – do not collect their payment in advance. If you bring an EBT card and ID you are eligible for $3 admission.

How many parent chaperones can we bring?
  • This varies depending on the type of program. On a regular, non-guided, field trip day we recommend a 1:10 staff/chaperone to student ratio. For guided field trips – there will be a set number of chaperone spots available.
How do we contact First Student for bussing?

You need to fill out the bus order form in your main office and put GCV&M down as the person to bill. Specific contact information for First Student is: William Simpson, Rochester First Student, 1-585-288-8080.

What should my students wear?

 It is important to dress for the weather, as all of our programs have outdoor portions that take place rain or shine.

Can we eat lunch at the Museum?

Yes, we recommend bringing lunch for your students to enjoy while at the Museum. Upon arrival you will receive a lunch location where you can both store your lunches and eat. On busy days, lunch times will be assigned by the Museum.

Will the Museums restaurants and gift shop be open?

Retail locations will be open Wednesday – Sunday from May 6th until October 9th. The Museum Store may be open on select days throughout the off season. Click here to learn more. 

What are enrichments?

Enrichments are ½ hour activities that cost an additional $4 per student. They allow students to engage in hands on historical activities. The extra cost of enrichments can not be covered by grant funding. Enrichments must be booked at the time of registration.

Where is the Nature Center?

The Nature Center is located to the right of the Museum, just before the first two parking bays. You will see a turn-off to the right at this location; turn in there and pull up to the Nature Center Loop for student drop-off and check-in.

What is my role as the lead teacher?

The lead teacher is responsible for collecting student payment, presenting a final headcount upon arrival, communicating with GCV&M about any changes to your confirmation, and receiving and distributing materials from the museum upon arrival (maps, schedules, etc.). We also recommend the lead teacher gives their cell phone number to all parent chaperones and bus drivers to facilitate communication.

Who counts as school staff?

All necessary teachers, aides, nurses, and bus drivers count as school staff and are admitted at no charge. Parent chaperones do not count as school staff.

Are these programs available for homeschool groups?

Yes, homeschool groups may sign up, as school groups, for any regular, non-guided field trip day.  Parents pay the reduced chaperone fee. Additionally, we offer specific homeschool theme days throughout the year. Click here to learn more about Homeschool Programs at GCV&M. 

If a student’s parents have a Museum membership – can that student be admitted for free?

Thank you for being a Museum Member! In the instance of school programs, all students must pay regardless of membership status.