By Maggie Edwards 

A swarm of itty-bitty beekeepers suited up and gathered around Grantswood Community School beehives on a late April day.

Whether it’s operating the smoker, removing a frame full of honey or picking off wax, each kindergarten student has a job on harvest day. It’s how they learn best, said teacher Andrea Riley. 

“They all have to be a part of it,” Riley said. “There is no point in doing ag-related science if they don’t all get to participate. You will see a bigger difference in a child’s learning when they get to do it themselves and be fully engaged.”  

The Jefferson County teacher believes in hands-on learning and has a passion for incorporating agriculture into her kindergarten classroom. 

“There is such a benefit in what we’re doing,” Riley said. “There are so many standards I am covering through agriculture. That’s why I strive to encourage more educators to do the same thing I do.”

Alabama Ag in the Classroom (AITC) has been a great platform and resource for Riley. She’s presented at state and national conferences and has received several grants to help build her program, too.

AITC Steering Committee Chair Kim Earwood commended Riley on her dedication to teaching students where their food comes from — and how to produce it. 

“Andrea is an example of why we do what we do,” Earwood said. “Our goal is to provide resources for ag literacy. Andrea is a trailblazer when it comes to teaching children about ag. Her cheerful spirit is a bright light in the lives of so many students and adults.”

Riley grew up on a cattle farm in Pennsylvania and has included chickens and gardening in curriculum for years. In 2022, she began beekeeping. As her knowledge grew, so did her bee bounty, in part thanks to hive donations from Jefferson County Farmers Federation board member Norman McClure.

“What better way to teach the students about bees than knowing their teacher doesn’t know everything either,” Riley said. “It shows them we’re all learners and are all here to grow. I learned with them the first year. Now, I am more confident. If a 5-year-old can do it, anyone can.”

Bee lessons are covered in the classroom starting in August. In-class learning includes introduction to the bee industry, plus safety lessons. Riley’s rules are to have calm bodies and quiet mouths while actively working around bees. Once students are equipped and ready, it’s time to go outside and begin project-based learning with Riley and beekeeper volunteer Adam Crandall. 

“Mrs. Riley teaches the kids about the technicality and life cycle of the bees,” said Crandall, whose children attend Grantswood. “Her approach to teaching benefited my son tremendously last year. It’s amazing how much knowledge they have when it comes to working with the bees and other animals.” 

Rise and Shine Honey by Mrs. Riley’s Worker Bees is a faculty favorite, Riley said. Profits from selling the nectar help purchase feed for the class’s chickens. 

Teaching students about the food system is more than a job, Riley said. 

“This is my world,” she said. “It’s my calling and my mission. For us, it’s not all about how much honey we can get. The point is so the students can be immersed in their education and learn where our food comes from. There are so many kids who don’t get introduced to ag. This is their chance.”