What object is this?
What object is this?
Does anyone remember a Twinkie? Do they even still make these?
Cut it half down the center and it will look like this….
This is one point-of-view, one perspective.
Cut it length wise…
This is another point-of-view, another perspective.
If you looked at the last two pictures individually, you could easily think you are looking at completely different objects. When in fact, you are looking at the same twinkie. Two different perspectives, same object.
I have worked in public schools. I am also a parent/advocate in the school system. Two perspectives. Same Twinkie.
If you are ever in the middle of trying to bring two conflicting groups together…look for the Twinkie in their communication. The reason they are arguing in the first place, is because there is one!
I think educators and parents have a lot more in common than we think. I think we often feel we are looking at two different objects, when if fact we are looking at the same thing with sometimes different understandings of how to arrive at the same goal. Sometimes. Sometimes we are looking at the same Twinkie.
Let’s larger the scope beyond parents of disabled children and front-line staff. There are many stakeholders in education. A mixed bouquet of perspectives. Do we all share a common goal?
So…when it comes to inclusive education…what is the Twinkie?