At Touchstones, we develop discussion curricula and partner with schools, community organizations, businesses, and governments to run discussion programs that build the collaboration, communication, and leadership skills essential for a more inclusive world. Our workshops and train-the-trainer approach support discussion leadership capacity.
Touchstones programs are used in primary and secondary schools, universities, NGOs, board rooms, governmental agencies, senior centers, and other community groups around the world. Our highly transportable programs transform the lives of participants of all ages and across cultures.
“Touchstones is more than a once a week lesson for me in my room, it is a way of life. It is a method of teaching and a mindset. It has changed everything for me. I no longer ask kids to raise their hands in my room. We follow the ground rules even when we are not in the circle. It has changed the way I think, interact and respond to others. It is my constant. I thank you and the project!”
T. Miller
Rising Sun Middle School, Elkton, MD
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Touchstones discussions build leadership skills and develop confidence in people of all ages in a range of community groups. Through our community programs, we support veterans, incarcerated individuals, senior citizens, and members of all communities unlock their voices and deepen their connection to one another.
Our Impact
See list here: Touchstones Global Communities
Touchstones partners with traditional public, charter, independent, and religious schools, as well as homeschool co-ops to develop students’ Essential Skills while fostering an inclusive school community. Our partners serve learners in urban, rural, and suburban communities throughout the United States and internationally. Here’s a look at Touchstones in Educational Settings by the Numbers.
K-12 (since 2000)
3000+ individual educators working in grades 2+
1400 public school districts and schools
130 Independent religious schools (Catholic, Christian, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim)
123 Independent secular schools
112 Charter schools
60 Montessori schools
60 Alternative schooling programs, including homeschool, enrichment, afterschool, online, and continuing ed
22 American and International school sites
INTERNATIONAL SITES
South African Education and Environment Program
Asian American International Academy, Taiwan
Pre-Collegiate Program, Myanmar
The Ministry of Education, Jordan
Children’s Place International, Haiti
HIGHER ED (since 2000)
77 Institutions of higher education using Touchstones in:
College preparation for high school students (credit bearing)
Early entry programs for low-income students
Summer bridge programs for incoming freshmen
Post-secondary two-year bridge programs for international students
First Year Residential Hall Community Seminars
First Year Seminar courses
Second Year Seminar courses
Senior Year Experiential Learning courses
Honors College Leadership courses
Undergraduate teacher preparation programs
Math education courses for math educators
Veterans and military dependents as First Year Students and Students in Transition
Master’s in Education programs
Post-doc programs for Ed.D and Ph.D education candidates
Touchstones discussions have been adapted to serve the needs of a wide range of communities, including veterans, executive professionals, incarcerated individuals, senior citizens, adults with disabilities, and more. Many organizations and groups have used Touchstones programs to build individual competency, community, and leadership skills, including:
COMMUNITY AND ADULT PROGRAMS
Numerous senior centers and residential facilities for seniors
Seeds 4 Success
Stanton Community Center
10+ juvenile detention centers and institutions for incarcerated adults
CEO Roundtable of Tanzania
Central Intelligence Agency
Church Pension Group
Community groups
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Farmer’s Insurance Co
Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles
National Security Agency
Religious organizations
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