Our Staff

Stefanie Takacs, MS.Ed.

As Touchstones’ Executive Director, it’s a privilege to represent and advance an organization recognized globally as a leader in discussion-based educational programs and collaborative leadership development. My daily work at Touchstones leans heavily on extensive training and experience in educational psychology and evaluation, psychosocial programming, non-profit management, and educational publishing. My passion for Touchstones is rooted in a belief that education can and must value and empower every person both as individual and member of society.

Howard Zeiderman

I am a co-founder of Touchstones Discussion Project. I have authored and co-authored more than 60 Touchstones discussion program volumes and have trained tens of thousands of educators around the world in the Touchstones method over the last 35 years. I did my undergraduate work at Dartmouth College and at St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD, and I completed my graduate work in philosophy at Princeton University from 1968-1973. In 1973, I joined the faculty of St. John’s College, where I remained until my retirement in 2019.

West Keiler

As the Operations Manager, I’m passionate about creating inclusive and diverse spaces where people can build meaningful relationships with others. I want to empower people to become confident leaders and receptive listeners through Touchstones discussions. I hold a B.S. in Business Management from Skidmore College with minor studies in Music Theory and Technology. As a Maryland native, I’m always excited to partner with local schools and community spaces. Outside of work, I spend time in nature, hiking and backpacking, and I also perform music.

Alexandra Fotos

I first learned about Touchstones when it was newly formed in 1984, yet it wasn’t until 2000 that I began volunteering for Touchstones in the Advisory Council’s Fundraising committee. In 2019, upon my retirement from St. John’s College, I transitioned from a volunteer to an employee. I was drawn to Touchstones for many reasons, but it was speaking to others about Touchstones’ impact that most compelled me. Over the years, I’ve spoken with teachers about their students’ love for the discussion method, heard from veterans how life-changing the opportunity to share their stories in Touchstones can be, and participated in programs with Incarcerated Individuals where I saw people find their voice through Touchstones.

Jenny Walton

My job at Touchstones mirrors my personal beliefs that we all have a valued voice in this world, and we can always learn to become better listeners and build relationships that grow in strength and inclusivity. I am passionate about listening and respecting the viewpoints of all, and in this position continue to learn and better my abilities through the skills Touchstones brings to life. It is exciting to have a job that mirrors what I believe and teach my family, but on a worldwide scale. I hold a B.S. degree in Environmental Conservation and Resource Management with a minor Fine Arts. Some of my other interests include hiking, weaving and fiber art, and gardening.

Sharon Thomas, M.Ed.

I am a National Board Certified English teacher, instructional coach, student advocate, and writer. I earned a B.A. in English at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and an M.Ed. in secondary education at Towson University in Towson, Maryland. I was a public high school teacher for nearly two decades and used Touchstones’ curricula in my English classes on a weekly basis, I was also a Senior Consultant at the Instructional Coaching Group for six years and am the founder of the Cecil County [Maryland] Teacher Leadership Network and have presented at conferences across North America on the issues of secondary school literacy, teacher leadership, and instructional coaching.

Full CV

Matteo Burrell

I graduated with my BA from St. John’s College in 2019. I am currently a philosophy graduate student at the New School for Social Research, where my research centers on how inherited paradigms and cultural perceptions shape linguistic interaction, and how the intersubjective space that unfolds in dialogue affects what has room to be spoken, recognized, and understood. I have co-led the Touchstones Teacher Fellows Program, which delivers intensive discussion leadership training using Touchstones’ Exploring American Perspectives.

Antonina Schlussman

Having observed the frightening state of polarization in our world, I believe the solution lies in discussion. But productive discussion doesn’t simply occur when you make people in a room talk to each other. Discussion is an art form and Touchstones has mastered it. I am thrilled to be a Touchstones intern this summer and support their school programs and communications efforts. I am a rising senior at St. John’s College and am passionate about bringing people together not only through discussion but through the experience of music.