Early childhood through grade 12

Hawthorne Valley Association

by Stacy Szymaszek

Yuuki Metreaud is a Math, Chemistry and practical arts teacher at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School (HVS) aswell as being analum. His love for science and the environment is rooted in a childhood fascination with insects, particularly bees. Growing up in the community, Yuuki spent afternoons watching his friend Ben Madey’s grandfather manage his beehives, sparking a lifelong passion. By high school, he was managing his own colonies, a commitment he sustained until leaving for college.

Though his path diverged into carpentry, project management, and even outdoor education with Outward Bound, the bees were never far from his mind. After settling down with space to keep hives again, a hobby blossomed into a business of over 100 colonies. Eventually, this journey led him to the University of Minnesota’s Bee Lab, where he worked with Dr. Marla Spivak, well known for her research to identify stress factors that compromise bee immune systems and develop methods to mitigate these stresses.

Now, as an educator, Yuuki draws on this rich background to inspire the next generation. In the spring, he introduces high school students to the art and science of beekeeping, offering an elective and an after-school club focused on hands-on experience. Students learn about spring colony management, creating new colonies from thriving hives, and even selling beeswax and honey to support class funds. “There’s a business aspect, but it’s more than that,” Yuuki reflects. “It’s about developing a personal connection with the bees.”

For Yuuki, this relationship is key. "Without a relationship, bees don’t carry the same meaning. When students engage emotionally and scientifically, they gain a deeper appreciation for these creatures and their role in the ecosystem."

Beekeeping also serves as a lens for larger environmental lessons. The plight of honeybees, which garnered attention during the colony collapse crisis of the mid-2000s, offers a cautionary tale about human impacts on biodiversity. Yuuki emphasizes the nuance often lost in sensational headlines. "Yes, bees are struggling, but it’s not as simple as ‘they’re all going to die, and so are we.’ Instead, we should ask, ‘What is this telling us about how we care for the environment and other species?’”

Drawing on his experience at the Bee Lab, Yuuki highlights sustainable solutions: improving habitat quality, eliminating environmental toxins, and breeding bees with enhanced immunity through what scientists call “social immunity”—the collective health benefits derived from their communal behaviors. These efforts reflect a holistic approach that prioritizes resilience over mere productivity.

While honeybees are often celebrated, Yuuki reminds his students that they are not native to the United States, having been brought over by European settlers. Their presence, while beneficial for agriculture, can sometimes overshadow native pollinators like bumblebees, mason bees, and sweat bees. "We need to strike a balance," he explains. "Managed honeybee colonies are important, but we also need to ensure we’re not outcompeting native species."

Yuuki has witnessed ecological changes in the Valley over the decades. Invasive species like Japanese knotweed have proliferated, displacing native plants but also providing late-summer nectar for bees. "It’s one of those complex stories," he notes. "Knotweed benefits honeybees preparing for winter, but it also disrupts waterways and native ecosystems."

Through his teaching, Yuuki strives to instill a sense of stewardship and curiosity. Whether through scientific observation or fostering an emotional bond with bees, his ultimate goal is to empower students to think critically about their role in the environment. "Bees teach us so much about interconnectedness," he says. "They remind us that the health of one species reflects the health of the whole system."

This article was originally published in Hawthorne Valley's 2024 Annual Impact Report.