TOUCHSTONES DISCUSSION PROJECT INC
143 LOG CANOE CIRCLE, STEVENSVILLE, MD 21666 www.touchstones.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: TOUCHSTONES BUILDS CRITICAL THINKING, COMMUNICATION, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS THROUGH RESPECTFUL AND ENGAGING DISCUSSION-BASED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY.

TOUCHSTONES' DISCUSSION-BASED PROGRAMS DEVELOP THINKING AND COLLABORATION AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS FOR ALL STUDENTS AND LEARNERS. TOUCHSTONES PRIMARY FOCUS IS TO ADDRESS GAPS IN EDUCATION IN K-12 SCHOOLS BY TEACHING EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS TO USE STRUCTURED DIALOGUE TO ACTIVATE AND ENLIVEN THEIR THINKING AND BUILD COOPERATION AND LEADERSHIP. THESE PROGRAMS ARE HELD IN SCHOOLS, PRISONS, SENIOR CENTERS, AND WITH VETERANS AND EXECUTIVE GROUPS.

K-12 SCHOOL PROGRAMMING, ENRICHMENT AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES, AND TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS YET ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, TOUCHSTONES' SCHOOL, AFTER- SCHOOL, HOMESCHOOLING, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS HELP STUDENTS OF ALL ACADEMIC ABILITIES AND BACKGROUNDS BECOME ACTIVE COLLABORATORS IN THEIR LEARNING. TOUCHSTONES MATERIALS ARE MOST WIDELY USED IN GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS BUT ALSO FOR ADVANCED LEARNERS, ESL AND ELL STUDENTS, INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE, ADVANCED PLACEMENT, AVID ELECTIVE AND CRITICAL READING, STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND IN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS. TOUCHSTONES SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE IN MORE THAN 47 COUNTRIES AND HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED FROM ENGLISH TO ARABIC, BURMESE, FRENCH, HAITIAN KREYL, AND SPANISH. MORE THAN FIVE MILLION STUDENTS OF ALL AGES HAVE USED TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED IN 1984. TO FOSTER OPTIMAL IMPLEMENTATIONS AND OUTCOMES, TOUCHSTONES PROVIDES EDUCATORS USING TOUCHSTONES WITH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING THAT TEACHES THE TOUCHSTONES DISCUSSION METHOD THROUGH DIRECT EXPERIENCE. OFFERED SEVERAL TIMES EACH YEAR, OUR INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS (INTRODUCTORY, INTERMEDIATE, AND ADVANCED), HELP TEACHERS LEARN STRATEGIES FOR DISCUSSION LEADERSHIP, TO IDENTIFY AND DEVISE SOLUTIONS TO ISSUES IN DISCUSSION DYNAMICS WITH INPUT FROM THE STUDENTS, TO MODEL ACTIVE LISTENING AND RESPECTFUL ENGAGEMENT WITH ALL STUDENTS, TO MEASURE STUDENT PROGRESS OVER TIME, AND TO ASSESS AND REFINE THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT AS DISCUSSION LEADERS AND CLASSROOM MANAGERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IN-CLASS COACHING PROVIDED BY TOUCHSTONES STAFF PROVIDES ADDITIONAL AND TAILORED GUIDANCE TO SUPPORT CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT IN INSTRUCTIONAL AND LEADERSHIP CAPACITIES. TEACHERS USING TOUCHSTONES OFTEN REPORT BECOMING MORE SKILLED AND CONFIDENT IN THEIR LEADERSHIP ROLES AND ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. TOUCHSTONES STAFF RAN 15 TRAINING WORKSHOPS AND PROVIDED IN-CLASSROOM COACHING FOR MORE THAN 300 EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND VOLUNTEERS AT EIGHT SCHOOL SITES AND OUR LOCAL WORKSHOP SPACE IN 2019. IN ADDITION, 17 NEW SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS IMPLEMENTED TOUCHSTONES CURRICULA. ANOTHER 24 SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS EXPANDED THEIR EXISTING PROGRAMS IN 2019. TO ENSURE THAT ALL TEACHERS WHO WISH TO BE TRAINED IN TOUCHSTONES ARE ABLE, WE PROVIDED 35 SCHOLARSHIP SEATS AT OPEN ENROLLMENT WORKSHOPS THROUGH THE TOUCHSTONES EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND HIRED A SUMMER TEACHING FELLOW TO SUPPORT SCHOOL OUTREACH AND DEVELOPMENT. AS PART OF OUR OUTREACH IN 2019, TOUCHSTONES STAFF ATTENDED THE ASCD EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, DC AND PROVIDED A FREE CLASS SET OF MATERIALS TO A PUBLIC-CHARTER SCHOOL IN PATERSON, NJ, WHICH HAD NO FUNDING BUT WAS EAGER TO BUILD CIVIL DISCOURSE AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. TEACHERS USING TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMS GUIDE AND EMPOWER STUDENTS THROUGH DIRECT ENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVE LEARNING. THEY USE TOUCHSTONES CURRICULAR MATERIALS AND TRAINING TO LEARN TO DIFFERENTIATE INSTRUCTION BASED ON STUDENTS' STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES AND ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO TEACH AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. STUDENTS IN TOUCHSTONES PRACTICE ACCOUNTABLE SPEAKING, ACTIVE LISTENING, COOPERATIVE LEARNING, CRITICAL THINKING, AND COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP IN EACH CLASS. AS PART OF THEIR WORK IN TOUCHSTONES, STUDENTS LEARN TO ATTEND TO GROUP DYNAMICS AND TO MODERATE BEHAVIOR AND ENGAGEMENT TO MAKE ROOM FOR AND ENCOURAGE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND GREATER ENGAGEMENT BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLASS. STUDENTS IN TOUCHSTONES EXPLORE IDEAS AND ISSUES CENTRAL TO CIVIL SOCIETY AND EXAMINE THEIR ROLES AS CITIZENS. THEY EVALUATE THEIR OWN WORK, SELF- CORRECT UNPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIORS, AND SET GOALS COLLECTIVELY FOR IMPROVED DISCUSSION OUTCOMES. THESE ESSENTIAL SKILLS TRANSFER TO MANY DIMENSIONS OF ACADEMIC SETTINGS AND EXTEND OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. AFTER SCHOOL/ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS TOUCHSTONES ALSO CONTINUED ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH SEEDS4SUCCESS IN ANNAPOLIS, MD-MODELING A TOUCHSTONES DISCUSSION WITH ELEMENTARY AGE STUDENTS FOR NEW STAFF. SEEDS4SUCCESS PROVIDES CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS FROM UNDER- RESOURCED COMMUNITIES WITH ENRICHMENT, MENTORING, AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. IN ADDITION, TOUCHSTONES COLLABORATED WITH THE GIRL SCOUTS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND TO LAUNCH A NEW PROGRAM AT THE WAXTER DETENTION CENTER IN MARYLAND. TOUCHSTONES STAFF PROVIDED PROGRAM DESIGN AND TRAINING AND OBSERVATION FOR THE GIRL SCOUT PROGRAM STAFF. THIS PILOT PROGRAM SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE YOUNG WOMEN'S PRO-SOCIAL SKILLS BY BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-REGULATION, REFLECTIVE THINKING, COOPERATIVE LEARNING, AND LEADERSHIP. MORE THAN 20 TEENS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM IN 2019, WITH HOPES FOR NATIONAL REPLICATION IN THE FUTURE. FURTHER OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEERISM BY TOUCHSTONES STAFF INCLUDED ENGAGEMENT WITH STAIR, AN INTENSIVE YEAR-LONG LITERACY PROGRAM FOR SECOND GRADE STUDENTS IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY. TOUCHSTONES STAFF MET WITH STAIR VOLUNTEERS TO DEMONSTRATE DISCUSSION AS A TOOL FOR BUILDING LITERACY AND RAN A TOUCHPEBBLES LESSON AT ONE PROGRAM SITE.

LEADERSHIP & EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS EXECUTIVES AND MANAGERS IN DIFFERENT TYPES AND SIZES OF BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS GAIN A BETTER SENSE OF TEAMWORK THROUGH CUSTOM TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMS. EXECUTIVES SYSTEMATICALLY IMPROVE HOW THEY ACCESS, ASSESS, AND UTILIZE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE IN PROBLEM-SOLVING. AT THE SAME TIME, TOUCHSTONES WORKSHOPS OR CUSTOM PROGRAMS HELP THEM IDENTIFY AND GROW LEADERSHIP CAPACITY, BUILD MORE INCLUSIVE AND COHESIVE TEAMS, AND IMPROVE ORGANIZATIONAL FUNCTIONALITY AND MANAGEMENT. THESE PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE WITH TEAMS IN NON-PROFIT AND HIGHER ED LEADERSHIP, CORPORATE SETTINGS AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. TOUCHSTONES STAFF RAN AN INTENSIVE, THREE-DAY WORKSHOP FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN 2019, TO BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO DELIVER MORE PROGRAMMING IN A GROWING MARKET. IN 2019, TOUCHSTONES RAN CUSTOM PROGRAMS FOR EXECUTIVES IN ANNAPOLIS, MD AND WASHINGTON, DC. THOSE INCLUDED TOPIC-ORIENTED PROGRAMS SUCH AS REVOLUTIONS, WHICH EXAMINES THREE REVOLUTIONS OVER TEN DISCUSSION MEETINGS AND EXPLORES THE WAYS IN WHICH THOSE PERIODS OFFER DIFFERENT LENSES THROUGH WHICH TO UNDERSTAND OUR CURRENT SOCIO-POLITICAL ENVIRONMENTS. THEY ALSO INCLUDED A PROGRAM SERIES ON MODERN SHORT FICTION AROUND TOPICS OF IDENTITY, CREATIVITY, AND THE ROLE AND EVOLUTION OF LITERATURE IN SOCIETY. A SECOND PROGRAM SERIES ON MODERN SHORT FICTION WAS ALSO STARTED IN 2019 IN WASHINGTON, DC TO EXPLORE HOW RECENT SHORT, FICTIONAL WORKS HELP US TO CONCEPTUALIZE THE FUTURE. IN ADDITION, TOUCHSTONES STAFF RAN A DAY-LONG LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR THE COASTAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN ALABAMA AND LAUNCHED A FOUR-SESSION PROGRAM IN THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICES MASTERS PROGRAM IN EMERGENCY AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT. TOUCHSTONES COMPLETED A CUSTOM FOUR-SESSION PROGRAM IN 2019 FOR 20 MANAGERS AT A NYC BASED GLOBAL PENSION FUND WITH MANAGED ASSETS OF 13.5 BILLION. THIS PROGRAM DEVELOPS VITAL COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP TOOLS TO SUPPORT HIGHLY COLLABORATIVE TEAMS. SUCH TEAMS ARE CHARACTERIZED AS ONES IN WHICH ALL MEMBERS RECOGNIZE THEY HAVE LEGITIMATE AND NEEDED VOICES. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS REFINED THEIR COMMUNICATION AND PERCEPTION SKILLS TO CREATE A WORK PRACTICE AND FORUM IN WHICH ALL VIEWPOINTS ARE WELCOMED, HEARD, AND MEANINGFULLY INTEGRATED IN COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVORS. TOUCHSTONES ALSO RAN A SECOND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR 40 DEANS AND DIRECTORS THROUGH THE CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT OF FOOD SERVICE EDUCATION (C.A.F.E.) IN CHARLESTON, SC. THIS WORKSHOP INVITED PARTICIPANTS TO EXAMINE ELEMENTS OF PERSONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BRANDING WHILE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH PEERS FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

PROGRAMS WITH INCARCERATED YOUTH AND ADULTS THROUGH TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMS IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, JUVENILE AND ADULT DETENTION CENTERS AND JAILS, INCARCERATED PEOPLE REFLECT ON THEIR THINKING, CHOICES, AND VALUES AND PRACTICE COOPERATIVE LEARNING AND COMPLEX PROBLEM-SOLVING. IN THE PROCESS, THEY PRACTICE ASSUMING GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECISIONS AND CONSEQUENCES AND ACQUIRE SKILLS ESSENTIAL FOR CONSTRUCTIVE AND SUSTAINED FREEDOM AFTER RELEASE FROM INCARCERATION. PARTICIPANTS ALSO PRACTICE SPEAKING PUBLICLY, LISTENING RESPECTFULLY AND ACTIVELY, AND CONSIDERING DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS. IN SO DOING, TOUCHSTONES DISCUSSIONS AFFORD INCARCERATED PEOPLE ESSENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPERIENCE AND SHARE THEIR IDEAS AND OPINIONS WITH OTHERS IN A MUTUALLY RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT. TOUCHSTONES IS USED BY PROGRAM STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS IN PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN CORRECTIONAL CENTERS IN MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, AND CALIFORNIA. TWO WEEKLY PROGRAMS INITIATED IN THE MARYLAND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN (MCI-W) IN 2015 CONTINUED THROUGH 2019 AND ARE RUN BY TOUCHSTONES STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. THOSE PROGRAMS ENGAGED MORE THAN 105 WOMEN IN 58 HOUR-LONG TOUCHSTONES CLASS MEETINGS FOR A TOTAL ATTENDANCE OF 477. OF THE WOMEN PARTICIPANTS IN TOUCHSTONES PRISON PROGRAMS WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM MCI-W OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE RECIDIVISM RATE REMAINS BELOW 5%. EIGHT COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM AT MCI-W IN 2019.

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