WOODSTOCK — Jolene Littlehale, an educator for 38 years and most recently principal of Woodstock Elementary School, retired from School Administrative District 44 at the end of this school year.

Her passion for teaching started at age 5, she said.

“My elementary teachers used to have me help other students in my class who were struggling with something and I loved it. I played school at home with my dolls as far back as I can remember,” Littlehale said.

She pursued that passion at the University of Maine at Farmington and took administrative classes at the University of Southern Maine. She taught special education students, kindergarten, first and fourth grades and remedial reading.

Littlehale said teaching has taught her several life lessons, the most meaningful one to always look at things through the eyes of a child , not to “sweat the small stuff” and to see everyone as a friend.

Littlehale said she hopes she has created optimism in her students, and impressed upon them the potential to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.

“I hope they know that their actions speak louder than their opinions,” she said.

In retirement, she hopes to spend more time with family and friends, and volunteer with organizations that are important to her.

emarquis@sunmediagroup.net

Jolene Littlehale, principal of Woodstock Elementary, retired at the end of this year.