Touchstones Discussion Project

Happy World Philosophy Day! We celebrate the people who wrestle with ideas about life and love and learning. #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse #inclusivediscussion

We're closing in on our December target! This month, meet one of our newest board members, Charlie Green, and why he supports Touchstones. Donate to the Still Water Challenge on our website! #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #inclusivediscussion #civildiscourse

November 13 is World Kindness Day, and we are delighted that it coincides with #TouchstonesWeek 2025 this year. Be kind today and every day! #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #inclusivediscussion #civildiscourse

Touchstones Week 2025 is here! To receive your free materials (in English, Spanish, and French), register on our website (touchstones.org) or email us at schoolprograms@touchstones.org. #touchstonesdiscussion #collaborativediscussion #inclusivediscussion #civildiscourse

#TouchstonesWeek2025 starts November 8! Register now on our website: touchstones.org/portfolio-it... #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

You still have time to buy tickets before we raffle off this gorgeous painting, Untitled, by Elliott Zuckerman, on November 15. Use the link to buy your raffle tickets now! touchstones.org/art/art-raff...

Happy Halloween to all who spookily celebrate! #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civil discourse

We're sooo close! We have two more months to hit our target for the Still Water Challenge, and we're almost there. In this post, see Touchstones co-founder Nicholas Maistrellis describe about the programs he cares about the most. Donate using the QR code or via our website, touchstones.org.

Get ready for #TouchstonesWeek2025! Registration starts next week. #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

Today, Touchstones honors indigenous people around the globe! #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

Touchstones celebrated the art of Elliott Zuckerman this past weekend at an event hosted by our wonderful volunteers, Craven and JD Engels. We will raffle off this gorgeous painting, Untitled, on November 15. Use the link to buy your raffle tickets now! touchstones.org/art/art-raff...

The Still Water Challenge continues, and we continue to grow to meet our target! In this month's post, USMC veteran and Touchstones board member Cole Caudle shares the impact of Touchstones on his life. Join us in this mission! #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

We continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a quote from writer Sandra Cisneros, whose work was part of our annual Touchstones Week a few years ago. Here's to small daily acts that build a better world! #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

Peace is not given—it is built. It begins when we are willing to truly listen to one another. To achieve peace, we must strive to bridge divides, reaching across differences with open minds and open hearts, ready to hear, learn, and grow together.

Happy International Peace Day from Touchstones.

Join us for our bi-weekly online discussions and explore the group’s ideas and a short text that relates to the theme of community.
*No advanced preparation is needed — we provide everything on the fly.
*No ongoing commitment. Come when it’s convenient.

Register at touchstones.org/community-pr...

“If you have only two pennies, spend the first on bread and the other on hyacinths for your soul.” –Arab Proverb #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

Our office shelves house some fun from the past, including these book covers from our early days. Our co-founder, Howard Zeiderman, is the artist responsible for that first cover, including the sea creature on the back. We wouldn't mind bringing it back. #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

Happy International Literacy Day! At Touchstones, we believe in literacy and justice for all. 🩵 #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse #literacy

UPDATES FROM THE FIELD:
This year marks the 10-year anniversary that Touchstones has been leading discussions at MCIW (Maryland Correctional Institute for Women), although we have been in Maryland prisons since the late 1990's delivering Touchstones to incarcerated individuals!

We are delighted to announce the 2025 Teachers of the Year: Christopher Palladino and Allyssa Hampson at Esperanza Academy Charter School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Christopher and Allyssa have been the key architects and implementation support for the school's Touchstones work in grades 3-12.

“No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”— Martin Luther King, Jr. #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

We continue to move toward our goal for the Still Water Challenge! Join board member Greg Hodges to help us close the remaining gap and support programs that foster civil discourse and collaborative discussion around the globe. #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion

New school year, new blog! In this post, we answer a Touchstones FAQ: How can teachers best grade discussion? Happy New School Year to all of our school partners around the globe! #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse
touchstones.org/blog/how-do-...

Happy National Nonprofit Day! Touchstones is proud to be a nonprofit organization that works to bring about deeper collaboration, better relationships, and more civility in the world. #touchstonesdiscussion #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

Last week, we hosted our back-to-school workshop. We hosted teachers and administrators from public, charter, and independent K-12 schools, public and independent higher ed institutions, a homeschooling parent, and a graduate student in counseling. #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse

Today is United Nations International Youth Day! At Touchstones, we believe in the promise and power of all young people. #touchstonesdiscussion #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

We love school, but we love summer vacation, too. Sending out our hopes to students that they fun and relaxing final days of their summer break! #touchstonesdiscussion #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse

Join us for our workshops coming this fall! Register at touchstones.org/workshops-tr... #touchstonesdiscussion #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion

We continue closing in on our goal for the Still Water Challenge! In this post, Board member Melissa Curtain shares her experience of the transformative power of Touchstones. To help us meet the Still Water Challenge, visit our website: touchstones.org/donate/ #touchstonesdiscussion #civildiscourse

Building positive classroom culture and relationships by supporting each other in discussion #touchstonesdiscussion #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion