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


SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Touchstones volumes are adapted for grade-level comprehension and aligned to many states’ standards. Touchstones discussions cultivate curious young minds, strengthen civil discourse skills, and prepare students for leadership in the classroom. in their communities, and beyond.


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.


WORKSHOPS & TRAINING

With our train-the-trainer technique, Touchstones empowers discussion leaders to facilitate inclusive and meaningful discussion in their communities. We offer virtual and in-person workshops and in-service training for teachers and volunteers tailor-made to their needs.

Our Impact

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participants in Touchstones programs globally
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Touchstones volumes available
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Languages in which we’ve translated our volumes
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Countries with Touchstones programs

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. Some of the thousands of schools that have implemented Touchstones include:

K-12 US SCHOOLS

Washington Latin Public Charter School, DC

Learning Community Charter School, NJ

Mount Desert Island Regional School System, ME

Hemet Unified School District, CA

Northeast Independent School District, TX

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 EDUCATION

St. Mary’s College, Moraga Hills, CA

Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA

Christ College School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Cincinnati, OH

Middle Tennessee State University, College of Education, Murfreesboro, TN

University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

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. We have partnered with many organizations to best support these constituent groups, such as:

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

The Library of Congress Veteran’s History Project

Seeds 4 Success

Maryland Correctional Institute for Women, Jessup

Center for Applied Research on Dementia

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)