School and Community Fall 2022

many of the same personality traits. “In order to be a successful beekeeper, you need to be patient, observant and a lifelong learner,” she stated. Just like educating a student, it takes time and a lot of observation to see the hive grow and to successfully harvest honey. Not only did Bell-Freeman foster new skills through this process, but she also found peace and stress reduction in this new hobby. “Bees taught me that I can overcome my fears and helped me cope with the stress of COVID-19,” she said. “My first year as a superintendent was the first year of the pandemic.” Similar to how some people cuddle with their dog or cat at the end of a long, hard day, Bell-Freeman gets to focus her attention on her bees and find comfort in these beautiful creatures. Looking forward, Bell-Freeman plans to purchase another nuc and add an additional hive to her farm. She will continue harvesting honey for gourmet cooking, creating bee balm and learning more every day about bees and what they do in their mysterious hives.

S&C FALL 2022 | 7