Teachers Awarded Funding for Creative and Innovative Classroom Projects

Burris teacher Bethany Clegg expanded a kindergarten classroom unit on dinosaurs into her physical education class. One activity had students completing an obstacle course with dino eggs. Photo provided.Burris teacher Bethany Clegg expanded a kindergarten classroom unit on dinosaurs into her physical education class. One activity had students completing an obstacle course with dino eggs. Photo provided.

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer—

Muncie, Ind. – Local teachers will receive $841 in Robert P. Bell Education Grants from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. during the final grant cycle of the academic year. Across the county, 1,000s of students benefit from Bell Education Grants each year.

Clara Chi, Indiana Academy, was awarded $450 to expose high school juniors and seniors to Japanese culture through animation and film. After watching a series of Japanese animations, students will create their own comic books using manga art style. Students will illustrate their knowledge of Japanese culture through their art and present it to the class.

Jennifer Jessie, Saint Mary/Pope John Paul II Catholic School, was awarded $391 to support a school-wide sensory and science garden. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade, supported by their teachers, will be the planters and caretakers of the garden. Students will learn tangible aspects of gardening, such as plant selection and lifecycles. They will develop valuable life skills, such as success and commitment in an environment with uncertain results.

Awards of up to $450 are available through the Bell Grants program. Funded projects are creative or innovative ideas or programs designed to stimulate learning in students. All Delaware County teachers are invited to apply during any of the four grant cycles.

Bell Grants are funded through the Robert P. Bell Teacher Grants Fund at The Community Foundation. This fund ensures that teachers have access to grants to help engage their students in meaningful ways for years to come. Individuals can contribute to the endowment fund to memorialize a special teacher, honor a retiring teacher or teacher celebrating a work anniversary, or to simply show their support for K-12 education in Delaware County.

The first deadline for Bell Grants in the 2018-2019 school year is September 1, 2018. For more information about Bell Grants applications and the Robert P. Bell Teacher Grants Fund, contact Carly Acree King, Program Officer at cacreeking@cfmdin.org. Information is also available at www.cfmdin.org.