RUMFORD – When Jim Hodgkin got his degree from the University of Maine at Farmington in 1984, he became the first member of his family to graduate from college.
The SAD 43 superintendent came from a blue-collar family. With the support of two of his teachers at Lisbon High School and the parents of his best friend, he decided to set a precedent for his family.
“Growing up, there were only two things I wanted to be – a teacher or a journalist,” he said.
Eventually, entering the educational field won out over news reporting, largely because he wasn’t pushed to develop his writing skills.
His family neither encouraged nor discouraged him from seeking higher education.
“I learned that the only one who can place limits on you is you,” he said. “I’m a perfect example of choosing your own attitude.”
After graduation from UMF, he taught for a couple of years, got a master’s degree in education and a certificate of administrative studies from the University of Maine.
SAD 43 is his first superintendency.
When Hodgkin is not “superintending,” he follows his love of music, or is busy learning and using his skills in carpentry.
“I’ve learned by trial and error,” he said of developing his carpentry skills.
He recently completed construction of a family camp on Richardson Lake, a project that was begun in 1997.
“It’s built on a hill and is a great refuge,” he said.
Music, all kinds of music, is another passion.
“Singing really brings out emotions in people. Emotions can be expressed in music that people can’t say,” he said.
He was chosen to participate in the Allstate Music Festival while in high school, then was a member of the Tom Marshall Band in Monmouth for many years.
He is also a new member of The Singing Superintendents, a group of about 40 superintendents from throughout the country. He joined the group at a recent nationwide superintendent conference.
“My top priority is my family,” he said.
He and his wife, Mary Jo, a physical education teacher in Auburn, are the parents of four children.
Comments are no longer available on this story