Sharon Thomas
@touchstonessharon.bsky.social
Educator, Touchstones Discussion Project
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
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
August 28, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
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.
September 2, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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.
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
Nominate a teacher for Touchstones Teacher of the Year! Use the link below to nominate someone who builds inclusive discussion spaces with their students. Nominations accepted through August 15.
Nomination link: forms.gle/44Js46ZmDVYf...
Nomination link: forms.gle/44Js46ZmDVYf...
May 15, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Nominate a teacher for Touchstones Teacher of the Year! Use the link below to nominate someone who builds inclusive discussion spaces with their students. Nominations accepted through August 15.
Nomination link: forms.gle/44Js46ZmDVYf...
Nomination link: forms.gle/44Js46ZmDVYf...
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
New blog post! Implementing any new practice into a complex environment like a classroom is challenging. Here are some ideas on how to weather those challenges for the benefit of students and adults. #touchstonesdiscussion #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion touchstones.org/blog/the-lon...
June 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
New blog post! Implementing any new practice into a complex environment like a classroom is challenging. Here are some ideas on how to weather those challenges for the benefit of students and adults. #touchstonesdiscussion #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion touchstones.org/blog/the-lon...
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
We're halfway through our fundraising challenge to receive matching funds from the Still Water Foundation. Use the QR code (slide 2) to support civil discourse and collaborative discussion in programs with people across the lifespan! #touchstonesdiscussion #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse
June 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
We're halfway through our fundraising challenge to receive matching funds from the Still Water Foundation. Use the QR code (slide 2) to support civil discourse and collaborative discussion in programs with people across the lifespan! #touchstonesdiscussion #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
Our #NationalPoetryMonth posts continue this week by focusing on the skills of analytical reasoning, collaboration, and cooperative learning, which students can practice with this poem by Laure-Anne Bosselaar. #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse
April 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Our #NationalPoetryMonth posts continue this week by focusing on the skills of analytical reasoning, collaboration, and cooperative learning, which students can practice with this poem by Laure-Anne Bosselaar. #touchstonesdiscussions #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
As a part of our 2025 Transforming People Campaign, we highlight the Board members who are tasked with raising $250,000 to be matched by the Still Water Foundation. This month, meet Noelle Richmond, Touchstones advocate and volunteer in our prison program. #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
April 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
As a part of our 2025 Transforming People Campaign, we highlight the Board members who are tasked with raising $250,000 to be matched by the Still Water Foundation. This month, meet Noelle Richmond, Touchstones advocate and volunteer in our prison program. #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
#NationalPoetryMonth continues with Amy Lowell's "Listening." This poem provides practice in the Touchstones Essential Skills of Leadership, Speaking, and Reflective Thinking (not to mention the one in the poem's title). #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
April 8, 2025 at 2:01 PM
#NationalPoetryMonth continues with Amy Lowell's "Listening." This poem provides practice in the Touchstones Essential Skills of Leadership, Speaking, and Reflective Thinking (not to mention the one in the poem's title). #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
Happy #NationalPoetryMonth! Each week this month, we'll highlight the Touchstones Essential Skills that students practice in every discussion by using poetry. To start, "Invictus"! #touchstonesdiscussions #touchstones #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse
April 4, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Happy #NationalPoetryMonth! Each week this month, we'll highlight the Touchstones Essential Skills that students practice in every discussion by using poetry. To start, "Invictus"! #touchstonesdiscussions #touchstones #collaborativediscussion #civildiscourse
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
Happy First Day of Spring from Touchstones! #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion #firstdayofspring
March 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Happy First Day of Spring from Touchstones! #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion #firstdayofspring
Help us meet the challenge!
The Transforming People Campaign is here! The Still Water Foundation challenged our Board to raise $250,000 this year, which the foundation will double. We're highlighting a different board member each month of the campaign. This month, meet Howard Zeiderman, Touchstones co-founder. #touchstones
March 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Help us meet the challenge!
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
Week 2 of our #WomensHistoryMonth posts involves excluded voices in discussion. Even the youngest students can reflect on who has been "left out" in a discussion and develop ways to open the conversation to more voices. #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussion #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
March 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Week 2 of our #WomensHistoryMonth posts involves excluded voices in discussion. Even the youngest students can reflect on who has been "left out" in a discussion and develop ways to open the conversation to more voices. #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussion #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
This week's #WomensHistoryMonth post highlights a lesson on students' personal growth. The reflective text by Saint Teresa of Avila supports students in exploring their growth in Touchstones as individuals and as a group. #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussion #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
March 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
This week's #WomensHistoryMonth post highlights a lesson on students' personal growth. The reflective text by Saint Teresa of Avila supports students in exploring their growth in Touchstones as individuals and as a group. #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussion #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
Happy #WomensHistoryMonth! Touchstones builds skills to help students navigate topics deeply with civility. Each week this month, we'll highlight a lesson that teaches these skills using writings from women writers and thinkers. #touchstonesdiscussionproject #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
March 4, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Happy #WomensHistoryMonth! Touchstones builds skills to help students navigate topics deeply with civility. Each week this month, we'll highlight a lesson that teaches these skills using writings from women writers and thinkers. #touchstonesdiscussionproject #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
For this week of #BlackHistoryMonth, we focus on a challenging element of discourse: subtext. Teaching students to detect and respond to unspoken communication is necessary for deep understanding. Happy Black History Month! #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
February 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
For this week of #BlackHistoryMonth, we focus on a challenging element of discourse: subtext. Teaching students to detect and respond to unspoken communication is necessary for deep understanding. Happy Black History Month! #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
We continue celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth by examining resources for supporting students in listening, a crucial skill for children and adults. Happy Black History Month! #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussionproject #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
February 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
We continue celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth by examining resources for supporting students in listening, a crucial skill for children and adults. Happy Black History Month! #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussionproject #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
Such a fun day!
Happy Valentines Day from Touchstones! We spent it with teachers @lccs_jerseycity. They analyzed their students’ Touchstones mid-year data, examined vertical teams issues across the grade levels, and engaged in a Touchstones discussion themselves. ❤️
February 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Such a fun day!
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
Touchstones has been awarded the Marilyn Hatza SHINE Grant from the Maryland Humanities who create and support experiences that explore and elevate our shared stories to connect people, enhance lives, and enrich communities. @mdhumanities.bsky.social
Continues in the comments…
Continues in the comments…
February 12, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Touchstones has been awarded the Marilyn Hatza SHINE Grant from the Maryland Humanities who create and support experiences that explore and elevate our shared stories to connect people, enhance lives, and enrich communities. @mdhumanities.bsky.social
Continues in the comments…
Continues in the comments…
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
Touchstones celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth with resources for schools in navigating emotional topics. This week, we focus on "Who has the right to speak for others?". Students learn to use their voice while also respecting others. #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
February 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Touchstones celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth with resources for schools in navigating emotional topics. This week, we focus on "Who has the right to speak for others?". Students learn to use their voice while also respecting others. #touchstonesdiscussions #civildiscourse #collaborativediscussion
Reposted by Sharon Thomas
Happy #BlackHistoryMonth! Today we continue our series on discussing historical topics using the Touchstones process. See slide 2 for today's Touchstones tip. #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussionproject #civildiscourse #collaborativediscourse
February 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Happy #BlackHistoryMonth! Today we continue our series on discussing historical topics using the Touchstones process. See slide 2 for today's Touchstones tip. #touchstones #touchstonesdiscussionproject #civildiscourse #collaborativediscourse
@looseendsproject.bsky.social is such a loving organization. I look forward to their posts every day.
“Something that all crafters understand is the appreciation of time. I feel privileged to have shared in this family's time and Anne's time, even for an instant." - Sarah, LEP Finisher
This blanket was begun by Anne for her nephew’s baby. #crafting #kindnessofstrangers #looseends
This blanket was begun by Anne for her nephew’s baby. #crafting #kindnessofstrangers #looseends
January 27, 2025 at 10:58 PM
@looseendsproject.bsky.social is such a loving organization. I look forward to their posts every day.
The Touchstones Discussion Project is now on Bluesky! Follow us at touchstonescircle.bsky.social!
Touchstones Discussion Project (@touchstonescircle.bsky.social)
Touchstones transforms education. In Touchstones programs, people of all ages and backgrounds learn to speak intentionally, listen actively, think reflectively, and share leadership. These are tools f...
touchstonescircle.bsky.social
January 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The Touchstones Discussion Project is now on Bluesky! Follow us at touchstonescircle.bsky.social!