Forty years ago this year, Geoff Comber, Nick Maistrellis, and Howard Zeiderman envisioned a different kind of discussion than most of us experience in school or work—one that is inclusive, balanced, humanizing, rich, and energizing. At that time, they were each senior faculty members at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, where most teaching and learning is conducted through seminar and tutorial classes. As they considered their successes and failures in teaching, they began experimenting with different forms of discussion-based approaches in public schools and districts. In those school sites, they implemented various pilots that explored what supports dialog and what inhibits it, and why. Initially known as the Touchstones Project, their investigations became a laboratory for researching, developing, testing, and refining discussion-based instruction to engage all students—regardless of background or circumstance.

During their April Board meeting in advance of the 40th Anniversary Celebration, the Touchstones Board of Directors made a major commitment. They pledged $40,000 for a fundraising challenge this spring. Every gift received between now and July 1 will be matched at least dollar for dollar. Repeat gifts will be matched 2 for 1, and donors making first-time gifts or returning after a hiatus will be matched 3 for 1! You can make your secure one-time gift or set up a recurring monthly gift (the annual total of your recurring gift will be matched accordingly) online.