Faces of the Foundation - Robert P. Bell Education Grants: Waylon Shaffer

Students Learn More Through Amazing Learning Experiences

Waylon Shaffer

Sitting in Waylon Shaffer’s fifth-grade classroom at Wes-Del Elementary School, it was easy to see his passion for providing his students with an amazing learning experience. Tables replaced desks making working together more manageable for students. Buckets of manipulative learning tools lined the shelves. Student work was proudly on display.

Waylon serves on The Community Foundation’s Robert P. Bell Education Grants Committee. Teachers are awarded Bell Grants of $50 to $450 for creative and innovative classroom projects. A committee comprised of one teacher from each Delaware County school district blindly reviews applications four times each school year to recommend grants. During the 2018- 2019 school year, teachers received 45 Robert P. Bell Education Grants, impacting more than 3,441 students across the county.

Waylon Shaffer

“Teachers use Bell Grants to allow their students to put their hands on the learning process. Let me show you,” Waylon said as he pulled out a box of colored sticks and explained how each color represented a different length. He quickly clicked four orange sticks together to show how he could illustrate a square and a rhombus. He then swapped out two orange sticks for two blue sticks to demonstrate a rectangle and a parallelogram. “Students of all ages benefit when they can put learning tools in their hands. Through Bell Grants, student interest piques in things like gardening, engineering, robotics, writing, and beyond.”

Waylon and his wife, Sarah, live in Delaware County and have a daughter in the second grade at Wes-Del and a new baby boy. As a family, they take full advantage of the programs and opportunities in the community. Waylon explains that when they can, they choose to eat and shop locally. A few of their favorite activities are the farmers market at Minnetrista, as well as walking its campus, participating in Cornerstone Center for the Arts educational programs, and attending church at the Jar Community Church, which meets at Muncie Civic Theatre. Waylon and Sarah are also big fans of the Cornfed Derby Dames and go to their bouts regularly.

While Waylon has been engaged in the community since coming to Muncie as a Ball State University student, he didn’t know much about The Community Foundation beyond Bell Grants until he began volunteering on the committee.

“I didn’t realize how big the Foundation is,” said Waylon. “I’m constantly asking if there is more I can do for my students? Or is there another resource out there that they could learn from. The Foundation is a valuable resource in our community for students, teachers, and many others.”

From supporting community-based organizations, like those that the Shaffers enjoy, to supporting teachers and their students, the Foundation helps donors – big and small – make an impact today, and always.

“I hope more and more people realize that even in small ways, we can keep making a difference,” said Waylon.