The last forty years have continued to prove to us that in order to go far you cannot go alone. That is why “with community” is at the center of Thinkery’s strategic priorities and everything that we do. Our work goes deeper than community engagement and is centered on building deep, long-lasting relationships that are mutually impactful. How? We always start off with listening to learn more about the needs, wants, and desires of the communities that we hope to be in relationship with, and then together we build what that strategic partnership and programming looks like. Our partnership with Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is just one example of what this looks like in practice!
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) is an organization that serves over 11,000 young students, grades K – 12, from all over Texas that are visually impaired, blind, as well as kids with both auditory and visual impairments. Thinkery has been partnering with TSBVI for many years and in a multitude of ways. Most recently, we had the great pleasure of working alongside TSBVI to celebrate the Eclipse through the Joyful Learning Collaborative. We sat down to speak with Carlotta Bins, TSBVI Career Education Coordinator, to talk more about the partnership!
How did TSBVI come into partnership with Thinkery?
I think we’ve been involved with Thinkery for about eight years now. It started when I had one student very interested in museums and art. He created a lot of art with his hands – it was the way in which he expressed himself. Being at the Thinkery, he loved all the things that he could interact with. Not only did he have a visual impairment, he also had an auditory impairment. He needed an interpreter, but he did a fantastic job with exhibit maintenance.
What does the partnership between the TSBVI and Thinkery look like?
Our relationship has really grown over time. [We have really focused] on giving students opportunities for careers within Thinkery, as well as learning valuable skills to work in early childhood and with young children. It has been a really beautiful partnership for our young adults on campus.
Thinkery has also really been interested in making sure that their spaces are inclusive and inviting to people of all abilities. They’ve consulted our school on several occasions on how to make exhibits more accessible. They also consulted us on their project in Del Valle. We’ve just been able to be a part of so many different facets that have a direct impact on the community that we serve, and we are very thankful for that.
What does joyful learning look like to you?
Joyful learning is when I know my students have that sense of belonging. It looks like inclusion, it looks like enjoyment, and it looks like satisfaction on the students face when they see, understand, or feel a part of something for the first time.
That’s what we focus on at our school, giving them a sense of community and belonging is important.
Thank you Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for the being such an amazing partner and collaborator!