Teachers Benefit from $9K in Grants for Creative and Innovative Classroom Projects

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded 22 local teachers Robert P. Bell Education grants totaling $9,226.20. These grants are awarded to teachers with innovative ideas, programs, or projects related to a classroom unit or lesson. Yorktown Middle School teacher Taryn McKnight was awarded a Bell Grant for a project titled Playing "Sports" in Wonderland. Photo provided

By Kallie Sulanke—

MUNCIE, IN – It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County is proud to support teachers throughout Delaware County.

The Robert P. Bell Education Grants Program at The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County provides teachers with grants to support projects that stimulate student learning. During the 2023-24 school year, 22 local teachers were awarded Robert P. Bell Education Grants totaling $9,226.20.

Teachers often have instructional ideas they would like to implement in their classrooms. Sometimes, a lack of funds can prevent them from moving forward. Robert P. Bell Education Grants are awarded to teachers with innovative ideas, programs, or projects related to a classroom unit or lesson. Grants range from $50 to $600.

The following grants were awarded through the 2023-24 Robert P. Bell Education Grants Program:

Jennifer Boone, Yorktown Elementary School, was awarded $75.08 for a project titled Looking into the Solar Eclipse.

Kristi Bowen, Selma Elementary School, was awarded $343 for a project titled Problem Solving with Tiles.

Megan Bush, Yorktown Elementary School, was awarded $450.94 for a project titled Pages Across Generations.

Julie Fierce, Delta High School, was awarded $485 for a project titled Portable Shakespeare Packs.

Shameka Gordon, Inspire Academy, was awarded $400.09 for a project titled 1st Grade Space Place.

Hayley Greiner, Delta Middle School, was awarded $572.31 for a project titled Mystery and Investigations Unit.

Melissa Hargis, Selma Elementary School, was awarded $136.57 for a project titled Jumping Into Jump Bands.

Deanna Harshman, Yorktown Elementary School, was awarded $88 for a project titled Eclipse Explorers: A Journey into Shadows.

Haley Hissong, Delta High School, was awarded $600 for a project titled Outdoor Science: Life Untold.

Lindsay Keys, Yorktown Elementary School, was awarded $500 for a project titled Language of Flowers.

Phillip Lobo, Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities was awarded $297.90 for a project titled Rengas and Picnic Blankets – Collaborative Poetry in Nature.

Phillip Lobo, Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities was awarded $308.80 for a project titled Let’s Build a World! – Collaborative Game Setting Construction.

Taryn McKnight, Yorktown Middle School, was awarded $208.55 for a project titled Playing “Sports” in Wonderland.

Brad Miller, Wapahani High School, was awarded $450 for a project titled Ride the Wave.

Amy Miller, Burris Laboratory School, was awarded $502.66 for a project titled Community Garden & Composting.

Stacy Morton, East Washington Academy, was awarded $600 for a project titled Our Colorful Community.

Sara Neville, Yorktown High School, was awarded $400 for a project titled Cinderella’s Closet.

Amanda Rhodes, Yorktown High School, was awarded $245.18 for a project titled Living Art Project PBL.

Sean Scott, Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities was awarded $497 for a project titled Creating Middle Earth.

Pam Stults, Pleasant View Elementary School, was awarded $220.12 for a project titled Growing Knowledge: Our School’s Flourishing Garden.

Celeste Tetrault, Yorktown Elementary School, was awarded $500 for a project titled Gardening Club – Project Pollinate.

Misty White, Inspire Academy, was awarded $600 for a project titled Rise Up: Inspiring Young Changemakers.

Sarah Young, Yorktown Elementary School, was awarded $255 for a project titled Magnify Writing with Science.

Sarah Young, Yorktown Elementary School, was awarded $310 for a project titled Broadcasting Straight from Colonial America.

Sarah Young, Yorktown Elementary School, was awarded $180 for a project titled Putting a Stamp on a Text.

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 honor or memorialize a special teacher or to show their support for K-12 education in Delaware County. More information on the Bell Grants program can be found at cfmdin.org/teachers.

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. encourages philanthropy, assists donors in building an enduring source of charitable assets, and exercises leadership in directing resources to enhance the quality of life for residents of Muncie and Delaware County. Since 1985, community members and businesses have helped the Foundation grow our endowment to $88 million. Using the earnings on the endowment, the Foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations, including scholarships to support students through post-secondary education. To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly $65 million to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Muncie and Delaware County.