James Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.

Master of Education in Administration and Supervision

EDL 524 Negotiating and Resolving Conflicts in Education Communities
EDL 525 Decision-Making for Educational Systems and Organizations
EDL 526 Realizing Vision through Technical, Human, and Financial Resources
EDL 527 Guaranteeing a Differentiated and Coherent Curriculum
EDL 598 Administrative and Supervision Internship

Doctorate in Educational Leadership

EDL 601 Analyzing Resource Allocation and Equity in Educational Financial Management
EDL 604 Developing Cultural Proficiency Opportunity and Equity
EDL 606 Utilizing Effective Leadership Principles and Processes 
EDL 608 Communicating and Engaging with Staff, Families, and Communities 
EDL 620 Understanding the dynamics of Legal, Ethical, and Political Issues
EDL 690 Educational Leadership Internship

Areas of Expertise:

The Principalship, Superintendency, School Finance, School Governance, Community Engagement, Strategic Planning, Community Partnerships, Politics and Policy Development, Leadership, Trust Building and Relationships in a School Setting, Leadership, and Communication

Publications: 
2020 August: Fitzpatrick, J. (2020) Beyond Theories and Degrees: The Alley Smarts of Educational Leadership. Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group Inc. Lanham, Maryland 9781475851083

1996 to Present: I have published several articles in the American School Board Journal, The School Administrator (AASA Publication), The National Association of Secondary Principals Bulletin, and Wisconsin School News (a magazine for Wisconsin School Board Members and Administrators:  Topics I have written on include:

• How to pass a Referendum
• Communicating During Change
• Strategic Planning
• School Board and Superintendent: Roles and Relationships
• Processes of Leadership
• Educational Decision Making
• Building Positive Cultures in Learning Communities 

Biography:

Jim Fitzpatrick is an Associate Professor at National Louis University in Wisconsin and Illinois.  He was born and raised in Lombard, a west side suburb of Chicago. Growing up in a family of eight children, he enjoyed living in an active neighborhood where there was always a sport or game to play!

Jim is a proud alumnus of Montini Catholic High School where he graduated in 1971.  It was there that he was exposed to the dedication and fine teaching of the Christian Brothers.  Under the direction of these fine men and some outstanding coaches, Jim began to consider the field of education as a possible vocation and career; hoping like his teachers that he too, could make a difference in the lives of young people.

Jim attended St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, from 1971-75 earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History.  Like in high school he competed on the St. Ambrose cross-country and track teams.  It was there that he met his future wife, Therese, who is also a graduate of St. Ambrose University.

Jim began his teaching career in the fall of 1975 at Newman Catholic High School in Mason City, Iowa.  He was there from 1975-1980.  During that time he taught Social Studies and his cross-country teams were a state power, winning the State Championship in the fall of 1979.  He coached several Drake relay qualifiers and track champions during those years.

In 1980, he earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Iowa.  From there he went on to serve in two Iowa principalships; in Lost Nation (as 7-12 principal) from 1980 to 1982 and West Liberty High school from 1982-1986. 

In the fall of 1986, Jim was appointed principal of Beloit Memorial High School, in Beloit, Wisconsin, a position he would hold through 1997.  During his years in Beloit, Jim was an influential player in the passage of one of the largest referendums ever to be approved in Wisconsin to renovate Beloit Memorial High School.  He also played a key role in the planning and design of the four hundred and sixty thousand square foot facility, recognized as a “state of the art” high school serving approximately two thousand students.  During his years in Beloit, Jim also became known as a national leader in the area of 4-block scheduling and was a much sought after consultant in this area of school reform.

Jim resigned from his duties at Beloit Memorial in June of 1997 to enroll full time at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to complete his Doctorate degree.  In May of 1999, his Ph.D. was conferred, in the area of Educational Administration.  Jim accepted the appointment of Superintendent of Fort Atkinson in the spring of 1999, and began his duties in June of that year.  During his tenure, he has been involved with establishing a District Strategic Plan, the opening of Luther Elementary school, and many curriculum and fiscal initiatives. 

Under Jim’s leadership, the district passed several referendum questions totaling millions of dollars to renovate aging buildings in need of new climate control systems.  Other multi-million dollar referendums approved were to support operational costs for programs and services that have “made Fort Atkinson “a school district of choice” among parents and families.  Many of these referendums were past during one of the most difficult political and economic periods Wisconsin has experienced, assuring the district of sound fiscal footing for future years.

Through his frequent columns and newsletters, Jim kept the community and parents informed of what is happening in the Fort Schools.  He has also published articles in national education journals related to the field of education.  Throughout Jim’s successful tenure as Superintendent in the School District of Fort Atkinson, he has dealt with many challenges while experiencing the joys of leading a very vibrant learning community.  

Jim and his wife Therese live in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. They have two children, Megan who is married to her husband BJ, and lives and works in Forest Park, Illinois, and Michael who after serving in the United States Army, now lives and works in Madison, Wisconsin, and is an auto technician.  Therese and Jim have two grandsons, Jimmy and Patrick (destined to be Chicago White Sox draft choices in 15 years J)

Jim retired from the School District of Fort Atkinson on June 30, 2013 and began working with National Louis University in March of 2014. His first book; Beyond Theories and Degrees: The Alley Smarts of Educational Leadership, Rowman & Littlefield Pub; was released on August 1, 2020.   It is now a featured text used by many Educational Leadership Departments in colleges and universities across the country. 

Jim enjoys teaching at the collegiate level and working with school districts in the area of leadership and building strong administrative teams.  His goal is to provide mentorship and give back as his mentors did for him when he began his educational administration studies back in 1977.  

 Education:

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) conferred: May 1999
Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Master of Education (M.Ed.) conferred: August 1980
Educational Administration
University of Iowa

Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A) conferred: May 1975
History
St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa

Research and Interests:

Leadership, Politics, School Governance, Roles and Relationships of Boards of Education and Administration, Referendums, School Task Forces, Alternative Education Pathways, Building and Sustaining Professional Learning Communities. Mentoring and Leadership Internships. 

Contact Information:

Dr. James Fitzpatrick
1000 Capitol Drive
Wheeling Illinois 60090
Mobile phone: (920) 763-6808
Email: jfitzpatrick5@nl.edu
All calls or emails will be returned within 24 hours if not sooner!)  

Website: jefitzpatrick.com