The School Zone Publishing Company

A graduate of Hope College, Jonathan Scott Hoffman is a business speaker and the writer of a book featuring the works of artist Craig Rubadoux. Jonathan Scott Hoffman has been associated with the School Zone Publishing Company since 1990 and holds the dual positions of president and CEO within the Grand Haven, MI-based company. 

School Zone Publishing Company was initially founded about 40 years ago by husband-and-wife team James and Joan Hoffman as a retail outlet for teachers. Gradually, it expanded to become a prominent publisher of workbooks and flashcards for children ranging in age from preschoolers to sixth graders.

Today, the company specializes in the invention of creative tools for young children engaged in at-home learning. Over 5,000 stores and 50,000 outlets in 49 countries throughout the world carry the educational materials produced by School Zone.

School Zone Publishing has produced many award-winning products. The company’s accolades include its educational software design being deemed the “Most Elegant Interface” by Apple’s Human Interface Design Excellence awards in 1996.

In 2015, an educational tablet for small kids named “Little Scholar” was selected as one of the finalists for the prestigious Educational Toy of the Year award.

What is the Grand Haven Artwalk?

 


Grand Haven, MI, resident Jonathan Scott Hoffman is a longtime educator and entrepreneur. Currently, Jonathan Scott Hoffman serves as president and CEO of the School Zone Publishing Company, which is headquartered in Grand Haven, MI. Outside of his professional work, Mr. Hoffman is engaged in the support of local charities, including the Grand Haven Artwalk.

The town of Grand Haven, located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, hosts its annual Artwalk event each fall. The event is a celebration of the arts that brings together artists, local businesses and community members from the town of more than 10,000 residents.

The event normally lasts several weeks and includes a wide range of activities. In addition to art displays throughout the downtown, centertown, and waterfront areas, the Artwalk features a judged art competition. Each year, the competition includes hundreds of entries in art categories such as photography, paintings, mixed media and sculpture. Attendees of the event also have access to music, food, wine tastings, parades, youth activities, and other attractions.

Community Involvement at the Grand Haven Art Walk

The president and CEO of School Zone Publishing Company, Jonathan Scott-Peter Hoffman is an entrepreneur and business professional in Grand Haven, Michigan. In addition to running this publisher of children’s educational resources, Jonathan Scott-Peter Hoffman is a supporter of various charitable and community events including the Grand Haven Art Walk.

Established in 2010, the Grand Haven Art Walk is an annual gathering of artists, businesses, and the community. The event celebrates art and local accomplishment through competitions in five mediums: painting, mixed media, drawing, sculpture, and photography. The 2015 event involved 174 artists, and attracted thousands of viewers.

The artwork entered in the competitions is displayed in the businesses of the city’s downtown and surrounding districts, including restaurants, retail shops, and banks. In addition to this widespread temporary gallery, the event encourages attendees to participate in the annual Community Art Project.

In 2015, Art Walk celebrated the U.S. Coast Guard with a community art project called Ship Shape. Business owners had the opportunity to purchase the five-foot-high “boat” structure, which they could decorate and display in front of their stores and offices. The completed wood sculptures--which featured a face hole for photo opportunities--were judged during the walk, and prizes were awarded to the best creations.