About The Author
Leadership Experience
A career spanning classrooms, high schools, and district leadership across Iowa and Wisconsin.
Scholar–Practitioner
A lifelong educator whose leadership blends academic insight with lived experience.
Mentor at Heart
Dedicated to building confidence and guiding the next generation of school leaders.
About the Author
Meet Dr. James Fitzpatrick
Dr. James Fitzpatrick (Jim) is an Assistant Professor in the Educational Leadership Department at National Louis University (NLU) in Chicago, Illinois, where he has served since 2014. In this role, he works closely with aspiring principals, superintendents, central office leaders, and higher education candidates. It focuses on practical leadership development grounded in real-world experience.
With nearly four decades in education as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent, Dr. Fitzpatrick brings uncommon depth to his work as a mentor and educator.
Dr. Fitzpatrick earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, where he also competed in cross-country and track. It was during his time at St. Ambrose that he met his future wife, Therese, a fellow graduate and professional World Languages educator.
He began his teaching career in 1975 at Newman Catholic High School in Mason City, Iowa, where he taught Social Studies and coached cross-country and track. Under his leadership, the cross-country program became a state powerhouse, winning the Iowa State Championship in 1979, with multiple Drake Relay qualifiers and track champions emerging during his tenure.
In 1980, Dr. Fitzpatrick earned his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Iowa and went on to serve as a principal in two Iowa school districts: Lost Nation Community Schools and West Liberty High School. These early administrative roles shaped his understanding of leadership at the building level and prepared him for larger system-wide responsibilities.
In 1986, he was appointed principal of Beloit Memorial High School in Beloit, Wisconsin, a position he held for eleven years. During this time, he played a pivotal role in the successful passage of a $26.5 million referendum to renovate the high school and contributed significantly to the planning and design of the 460,000-square-foot facility. He also gained national recognition as a leader in four-block scheduling and became a sought-after consultant in school reform.
Dr. Fitzpatrick earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Development in 1999 and was appointed Superintendent of the School District of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, that same year. He served the district for fourteen years, leading major strategic initiatives including facility expansion, curriculum development, early childhood programming, and long-term financial planning. His leadership guided the district through multiple successful operational referendums during one of the most challenging political and economic periods in Wisconsin’s history.
Today, Dr. Fitzpatrick continues his commitment to education through teaching and mentorship at National Louis University. He and his wife Therese reside in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and enjoy time with their children and grandsons, Jimmy and Paddy whom Jim proudly jokes are future Chicago White Sox draft picks.