Principal/Mission

Principal

Dr. LaTisha Williams
Dr. LaTisha Williams is passionate about students and staff being valued at Shawnee Mission Northwest. Our mission is to create a school community where every student feels known, valued, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential. We are committed to building a culture grounded in Family, Fun, Focus—where strong relationships create belonging, learning prepares students for tomorrow, and high expectations empower every Cougar to succeed. Together, we will celebrate our strengths, embrace opportunities for growth, and work collaboratively with students, staff, families, and our community to ensure that every student graduates prepared to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world. At Northwest, we are building tomorrow together-one student, one relationship, and one opportunity at a time.

Associate Principal (A-G)

Anthony Galindo

Mr. Galindo is responsible for students with last names A-G. In addition, he is the building testing and assessment coordinator, and he oversees the social science and world language departments. Mr. Galindo is passionate about meeting the needs of all students, and he plays an important role in a wide variety of student support structures at Northwest. He spent the first 7 years of his career in the Chicago area teaching special education. After a family move to Kansas, Mr. Galindo taught English at Northwest for 5 years before becoming an associate principal at Hocker Grove Middle School. Mr. Galindo is excited to serve the Northwest community, and he looks forward to empowering students to reach their full potential in school and beyond.

Associate Principal (H-O)

Britton Haney

Mr. Haney is one of the Associate Principals at Northwest who works primarily with students whose last name begins with H - O. Mr. Haney enjoys helping students, staff, and family members with all aspects of high school. He oversees digital learning and technology for Northwest along with, Career & Tech Ed, and Performing Arts. During his thirteen years as a teacher at Northwest, he taught all levels of math from Algebra 1 thru Calculus, was the percussion/drumline instructor, and varsity bowling coach. Working at a high school is his passion. He looks forward to solving problems with the entire Northwest Community to build a safe learning environment providing opportunities for ALL students to be successful.

Associate Principal (P-Z)

Connie Springfield

Connie Espinoza-Springfield has extensive educational experience with a Specialist degree in Educational Administration. She taught for seven years as a math teacher, volleyball and basketball coach, and has served in roles as both a principal and associate principal. Mrs. Springfield has served her larger community as a volunteer and Board Member for a variety of organizations including the Kansas City Network for Women in School Administration and Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Connie’s philosophy as an educator is that we strive not to teach youth to make a living, but to make a life!

Mrs. Springfield will work directly with students with last names starting P-Z. She will oversee CTE and science departments, coordinate graduation, and College Now.

Athletic Director / Associate Principal
Dr. Heath Wilson

Dr. Heath Wilson is Athletic Director and Associate Principal at Northwest. A passionate advocate for student development, Dr. Wilson believes in the transformative power of athletics—not just as competition, but as a foundation for lifelong values. He champions high school athletics as a platform to teach discipline, integrity, teamwork, and resilience. For Dr. Wilson, every practice, game, and challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger both on and off the field.

Our Collective Commitments:

Every Northwest Student is empowered, supported, and encouraged to embrace learning and challenges with confidence.

We Are Demanding and Not Demeaning

We Believe ALL Students Can Learn

We Recognize the Value of Every Student

Our Cougar CORE serves as a foundation to guide our students’ efforts in the classroom & community.

We Are…

Conscious

Growth-oriented, Curious, Enthusiastic, Intentional Decision Makers

On Point

Accountable, Present, Punctual, Responsible

Respectful

Of Self, Peers, Adults, Property

NW Kindness Zone

Engaged

Focused, Aware, Ready to Learn, Actively

Involved

We are committed to providing a safe and caring atmosphere for our students, where each student may find a place, a home at Northwest. We strive for each student to have a champion, an adult supporting his or her success.

Recognitions:

Northwest recently earned a Silver Medal and was named among the Top Ten schools in Kansas in the Best High Schools Report by US News and World Report.

Northwest is an International Baccalaureate (IB) School and is proud to offer both the IB and Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings to our students. Each year numerous students earn the IB Diploma and AP Scholar accolades.

Each year, Northwest earns state qualifying performances in athletics, performing arts, music, and activities. This year Northwest individuals and teams qualified to National competitions in debate, competitive speech, Economics, Business Professionals of America, Journalism, KUGR, Newspaper, and First Robotics.

We encourage you to follow SMNW on Twitter: @smnw_office

Beyond these accomplishments, we welcome all students to explore Northwest and know you are a “Cougar, Now and Evermore”.

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