The Touchstones staff has just finished training a new group of volunteers who will be continuing the weekly discussion program we have been doing at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women ( MCIW) which will be starting up again this fall. Participants in this program not only gain vital skills for employment when released, but enhance their literacy and socio-emotional health while incarcerated. Touchstones trains community volunteers to teach and learn with program participants, an approach that fosters mutual growth and understanding for all involved. If you are interested in volunteering with Touchstones, please let us know by emailing jenny@touchstones.org
Touchstones Discussion Project
Non-profit Organizations
Stevensville, Maryland 136 followers
Building critical thinkers and collaborative leaders through inclusive discussion-based learning for over 37 years.
About us
Touchstones Discussion Project: Building critical thinkers and collaborative leaders with discussion-based curricula. In 1984, three professors (tutors) from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, Geoffrey Comber, Nick Maistrellis, and Howard Zeiderman, joined forces to better understand the benefits and barriers encountered in discussion-based learning. Their inquiries led to the formation of the Touchstones Discussion Project. Today, Touchstones programs are implemented with many diverse demographics and in a wide range of educational and professional settings around the world. In their examination of the varied success of discussion-based learning in particular groups, the three founders intensively and thoroughly investigated the socio-behavioral and cultural habits that influence how people see themselves as viable and legitimate voices in discussion. They explored the particular impediments that typically hinder authentic discussion and shared inquiry as attempted in other “seminar” type programs. With our train-the-trainer technique and fully developed program curricula, Touchstones is readily used by educators and community leaders around the world to empower the populations they serve in English, Spanish, French, Haitian Kreyol, Arabic, and Burmese. Researched in Pittsburgh, Maryland, New York, and Delaware, Touchstones' proven results and highly engaging format have made it an attractive tool among adult groups as well. Today, our programs reflect 37 years of research and development from thousands of implementation sites. In Touchstones, participants find their voice and their dignity, experience the value of their own thinking, and discover a sense of belonging and purpose.
- Website
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http://www.touchstones.org
External link for Touchstones Discussion Project
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Stevensville, Maryland
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1984
- Specialties
- education, leadership development, discussion programs, executive training, school programs, building cooperation, developing critical thinking, and collaboration
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
143 Log Canoe Circle
Stevensville, Maryland 21666, US
Employees at Touchstones Discussion Project
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Gregg Steinberg
Seasoned C-Suite executive and entrepreneur. Focusing on cornerstone brands and science in cannabis, hemp & healthcare.
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Alexandra Fotos
Volunteer
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Mark Lindley
Life for Leadership Coaching
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Sharon Thomas
Education Enthusiast. Seasoned Professional Developer and Educator. Dedicated Student Advocate.
Updates
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Listening is one of the hardest things for many of us to do and is something we can all work to improve. Today we highlight this quote from Ralph Nichols who was coined the " Father of Listening". Let's share a goal today that we actively participate in conversations that lift one another up through listening and becoming more self aware. #Touchstones #activelistening #collaborativeleadership
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Check out our July Educator Circle newsletter for the latest on our globe-trotting workshops! Link: https://buff.ly/4czG3t1 #touchstonesdiscussionproject #touchstones #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse #education
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Start the new school year with an intentional focus on collaboration and communication for both students and adults. Join us on August 22 for an in-person, back-to-school introductory workshop in Annapolis MD! Use the link to register: https://buff.ly/3XVcdL6
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Join our online back-to-school workshop on August! New teachers? Veteran teachers who want a refresher? School leaders who want to see what Touchstones is all about? All are welcome. Use the link to register: https://buff.ly/3XVcdL6
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This is our last push to ask you to please make a gift today, invite a friend, or share the word of Touchstones and what is means to you! We grow through our circles rippling out and touching the lives of people all over the world. It starts with YOU. Every gift made today will be doubled and matched by our board, and if you are a first time donor, your gift will be matched $3 to $1! Donate here on our secure portal: https://buff.ly/3D7iODU
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There are FOUR days left to double or triple your gift to Touchstones by making a secure donation on our website. 100% of all contributions go to providing Touchstones training and program materials to teachers across the US. Here are FOUR reasons it is so important to help us today, and why the world needs Touchstones more than ever. Thank you for your gift and sharing Touchstones with a friend. https://buff.ly/3D7iODU
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Excited to be part of a team working to share proven strategies, tools, and curricula that foster student agency belongingness, and community in their First-Year Experiences #highereducation #retention Thanks, Drs Hawkinson and Slife for your work at UNLV to bring Touchstones to thousands of new students each year. https://lnkd.in/gQkDWwRS
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A quote from teacher Tika Epstein uniquely mirrors a Touchstones based learning method and how it empowers the group to lead and become more thoughtful citizens of our world. She says, "I believe there is no better compliment than someone saying your students could run this class without you. My students understand it is our class, not my class. They have as much responsibility as I do." We agree!! Please suuport the work we are doing by donating this month while we are running our match challenge. All gifts will be matched 2:1 and all new donors will be matched 3:1! An amazing opportunity to help where it is most needed. Donate here: https://buff.ly/3D7iODU
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We love hearing from our friends and teachers about #Touchstones in their classrooms and lives. What discussion resonates the most with you or one of your classes? Let us know in the comments below! And please remember this month only we will be doubling all gifts to make sure Touchstones can continue to bring active listening, inclusive discussion, and shared leadership around the world. Donate here:https://buff.ly/3D7iODU
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