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The Hornet Hive Podcast

The Hornet Hive Podcast

Auteur(s): Williamston Community Schools
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 The Hornet Hive is your one stop location to get up to date on everything that is happening within the Williamston Community Schools.2024
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  • Why School Libraries Matter: Insights from Williamston's New Librarian

    Why School Libraries Matter: Insights from Williamston's New Librarian
    Oct 30 2025
    In the latest episode of the Hornet Hive podcast, Dr. Christopher Lewis introduces listeners to one of Williamston Community Schools' newest and most passionate staff members: Alexis Thune, the new elementary librarian. This engaging conversation provides a unique window into the crucial role school libraries play in shaping young minds, fostering creativity, and building community. Alexis, who moved from Iowa in 2019 when her husband began graduate studies at Michigan State University, brings both teaching experience and heartfelt enthusiasm for books to Williamston. She shares how her love for literature and libraries guided her back to education, describing the new librarian position as her "dream job." Alexis's genuine excitement to help children discover the joy of reading shines throughout the episode. One main theme is the importance of libraries as spaces of exploration and imagination. Alexis notes that "these kids are getting free books to read. They don't have to pay a thing for them," underscoring the library's unique ability to expand students' worlds at no cost. She passionately defends libraries as "one of our best assets as a society," offering children the chance to discover stories and perspectives that both reflect their own experiences and introduce them to new ways of thinking. Another central point is Alexis's personalized approach to motivating students—by getting to know their interests and connecting them with the perfect book, whether it's Minecraft guides or stories about axolotls. She emphasizes the value of creating a welcoming, safe space where every child feels confident to explore new ideas. The episode also explores how technology is reshaping the library experience. Alexis highlights the importance of e-readers, audiobooks, and even closed captioning as new ways for children to engage with reading and the written word, reflecting the dynamic, evolving nature of modern school libraries. Collaboration also takes center stage, with Alexis expressing her readiness to work closely with teachers and parents. She invites families to ask their children about the books they're reading and to get involved as library volunteers—a tradition she's eager to continue. If you're passionate about education, literacy, or community, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to learn more about Alexis Thune's vision and the transformative power of the elementary library. Her excitement is infectious, and her message is clear: together, we can inspire the next generation to love reading and learning. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:20]: Welcome back to the Hornet Hive. I'm your host, Dr. Christopher Lewis, one of the members of the Williamston Community Schools Board of Education. Really excited to have you with us this week. As always, I thoroughly enjoy having an opportunity to talk to you about the amazing things that are happening in our schools. And as a part of that, I love being able to introduce you to the staff behind the scenes, the people that are working with our kids on a daily basis, because I know not everyone in our school district you will have had a chance to meet, and that includes some of our newest staff that have joined the district. And today I've got another great guest with us. Alexis Tuney is with us today. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:00]: And Alexis is our brand new elementary librarian. And for many of you who have had kids in the elementary schools, I am sure that one of the high points of their week is an opportunity to go to the library to get books, to be really engaged with reading. And Alexis is our new person that's going to be leading the charge and working with our kids in that way. So I'm really excited to have her here today and to introduce her to you and for you to get to know her a little bit better. Alexis, thanks so much for being here today. Alexis Thune [00:01:33]: Absolutely. Thank you for having me. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:35]: It is my pleasure having you here today. And I guess first and foremost, I really want to turn it over to you for you to tell us a little bit about yourself and what brought you to education and specifically what brought you to this role as a librarian. Alexis Thune [00:01:48]: So fun fact about me, I'm actually originally from Iowa. My husband and I moved to the Michigan area in 2019. He's going to grad school at MSU, so we're staying for that here. And then I just really fell in love with teaching. It's what I originally went to school for. I changed majors a bunch of times and then, ironically enough, ended up back in teaching. I've got a bit of experience teaching art in second grade, but my true passion has always lied with the books. I've always loved the library myself. Alexis Thune [00:02:16]: I'm a bit of a bookworm, so getting to have that opportunity really to provide that for the kids is really kind of my dream job. Not to be too corny about it, but it just, it makes my heart so happy to see...
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    10 min
  • Navigating Personal Growth and Change: Maya Boyes

    Navigating Personal Growth and Change: Maya Boyes
    Oct 2 2025
    In the recent episode featuring Myah Boyes (she/her) and Christopher Lewis, listeners are welcomed into an honest, practical, and empowering conversation. This episode is not just another discussion; it's a real, lived account of facing challenges, finding your place in the world, and building the courage to carve your own path. Embracing Authenticity and Owning Your Story One of the most impactful moments in this podcast is when Myah openly discusses her journey of self-acceptance. She explains how owning her identity wasn't always easy, and she relates stories of moments when she felt out of place or misunderstood. "Being your authentic self isn't just about confidence," Myah shares. "It's a daily practice of checking in with yourself and allowing your uniqueness to shine—even when it feels tough." This honesty resonates deeply, offering a reminder that self-discovery is ongoing and requires both courage and vulnerability. Taking Risks and Saying Yes to Opportunity Myah doesn't shy away from talking about risk. She details key points in her life where taking a leap—even before she felt fully ready—led to unexpected growth. She encourages listeners to trust their instincts: "A lot of the time, you won't have all the answers before you begin. But if an opportunity sparks something in you, that's often enough reason to take the first step." By sharing her own stories of uncertain beginnings, Myah motivates others to move past perfectionism and let curiosity guide them. The Power of Connection and Collaboration Throughout the episode, Myah highlights the importance of community and collaboration. Christopher and Myah reflect on projects where listening to—and leaning on—others created stronger results. "No one's journey happens alone," Myah insists, emphasizing how impactful it can be to seek advice, share ideas, and invest in supportive relationships. Why You Should Listen If you're seeking real-world perspective, practical motivation, and stories that remind you you're not alone, this episode is for you. Myah's candid reflections and specific examples make her insights relatable and actionable. Tune in to hear heartfelt advice on navigating identity, embracing your journey, and finding strength in community—you just might walk away with the inspiration you need to start your next chapter. TRANSCRIPT Christopher Lewis [00:00:20]: Welcome back to the Hornet Hive. I'm your host, Dr. Christopher Lewis, one of the members of the Williamson Community Schools Board of Education. Really excited to have you back again this week. As always, every week we have a great opportunity to be able to learn about everything that's happening within our schools. And I love being able to share with you not only the great things that are happening, but the people that make our schools work. And you don't get to meet everybody as a, let's say, a parent or a community member within our district. But it's important for you to know who's out there supporting our students. Christopher Lewis [00:00:58]: And. And we have new staff. We have staff that have been around for a very long time. And today I've got another great guest joining us. Myah Boyes is with us today. And Myah is the brand new guidance counselor at the high school. She just joined the Williamston Community Schools this year and I'm really excited to be able to introduce her to you and for you to get to know her a little bit more. Myah, thanks so much for joining me today. Myah Boyes [00:01:22]: Of course, I'm excited to be a part of this. When you reached out to me, I didn't even know there was a podcast and I love podcasts, so of course I had to join. Christopher Lewis [00:01:30]: Well, I'm really excited that you are on today and I guess first and foremost, can you tell me a little bit about your background and what brought you to Williamston? Myah Boyes [00:01:39]: I am a brand new graduate, so I just graduated from Wall State University in Indiana. I actually graduated in July, so very quick turnaround. I did my bachelor's and my master's there, so of course I got my master's in school counseling. I'm kind of from the area. I'm from the Howell area. I went to school there, but I live in Fotherville. And I was very excited to see that there was an opening in Williamston because I like the little town, I like smaller communities and working with those. I did my internship with rural high school, which was very small and they had about 70 students per class. Myah Boyes [00:02:14]: And I just fell in love with being able to create more connections with the students because there was not a million of them like there was at my high school. So building those relationships was very nice. Christopher Lewis [00:02:24]: So you talked about going through your undergrad and from there deciding to go on and get that graduate degree in becoming a guidance counselor. Talk to me about that journey and what made you decide that you wanted to be a guidance counselor. ...
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    14 min
  • A New Chapter at Explorer Elementary: Meet Principal Kathryn Kluszak

    A New Chapter at Explorer Elementary: Meet Principal Kathryn Kluszak
    Sep 18 2025

    If you're interested in what makes Williamston Community Schools such a vibrant and supportive place for students, staff, and families, the latest episode of the "Hornet Hive" podcast is a must-listen. Host Dr. Christopher Lewis welcomes Kathryn Kluszak, the energetic and compassionate new principal of Explore Elementary, for a conversation packed with insight, warmth, and a touch of personal flair.

    Right from the start, Kathryn's passion for education and community shines through. Listeners get to learn about her journey—beginning in early childhood education, moving into kindergarten teaching, and steadily growing as a leader through roles in East Lansing Public Schools. She shares how her experiences, especially during the challenges of the virtual learning era, set her on a path to school leadership and, ultimately, to joining the welcoming Williamston community.

    One of the episode's strongest themes is the importance Kathryn places on relationships. She emphasizes that building honest, positive connections with staff, students, and families is her top priority for this first year. Kathryn is keen on maintaining the already strong, collaborative culture of Explorer Elementary—underlining her commitment to be present, approachable, and supportive, both inside the school and in the broader community.

    Dr. Lewis and Kathryn touch on what makes Williamston special: its small-town charm, the strong sense of belonging, and the school's central role in the lives of its residents. Kathryn is effusive about the warmth and involvement of parents and the impressive academic and co-curricular opportunities available to students—from STEAM and Spanish to art, music, and physical education.

    The episode is sprinkled with personal touches: Kathryn's love of running (including her marathon experience), her favorite subject in school, and the qualities her friends say she embodies—compassion, loyalty, and care.

    But perhaps the most inspiring message Kathryn shares is simple: every child deserves to feel valued, safe, and excited to learn when they enter school each day. She encourages students to believe in themselves and reassures families that every staff member is dedicated to supporting both the academic and emotional growth of their children.

    Want to feel inspired about the future of Explorer Elementary and the power of educational leadership? Tune in to this episode of "Hornet Hive" and get to know the heart of your local school through its new principal's story.
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    15 min
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