AJ Hoffman Begins School Committee Term at Salem Public Schools

SALEM (Jan. 17, 2023) – AJ Hoffman, a 25-year resident of Salem, began their four-year term on the Salem School Committee with the Monday, Jan. 8 session, aiming to open doors and encourage more families to voice concerns and opinions.

Hoffman was elected to the post in November alongside current school committee members Mary Manning and Veronica Miranda. Hoffman replaces former member Dr. Kristin Pangallo.

“I feel like I bring a broad lens of equity and inclusivity from my personal life, a wider lens than just me,” Hoffman said. “Having other community voices heard is important to me. I want to open doors. I want families to feel comfortable asking questions and voicing their opinions. I am part of the LGBTQ community and I feel that matters with the climate these days.”

Hoffman will serve on two subcommittees: Building and Grounds as well as Curriculum.

Hoffman has 30 years of early childhood education experience, from serving as a nanny for many years as well as an educator at the Jewish Community Center in Marblehead four years and at Salem Early Childhood Center during the Covid-19 outbreak.

They also volunteer at the North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ Youth (NAGLY), overseeing a program for kindergarten through sixth grade students focused on social skills and friendship.

Hoffman’s son, Senan, is a seventh grader at the Collins Middle School.

Hoffman is a graduate of Carl Sandburg College, from which they earned an associate’s degree in early childhood development. 

They are a native of Illinois.

About Salem Public Schools

Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.