Principal/Mission

Principal

Dr. Lisa Gruman

Welcome to our

Shawnee Mission Northwest Family!

We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work together with our truly amazing Cougar community to create opportunities for our students to learn and grow each day. We feel so fortunate to have tremendous support from our Northwest families and our larger Shawnee and Lenexa community members. This support is reflected in our updated facilities, learning partnerships, social outreach, and collective care provided to our students and staff. We are proud to be Northwest!

As principal of Shawnee Mission Northwest, I have the joy of learning and growing with our staff and students. I recognize the value each individual student brings to our Northwest community. We join together as one Northwest family, stronger because of our diversity. I appreciate the opportunities to get to know our students, learn their stories, and share this portion of their journey.

I earned both my master’s degree in Teaching & Leadership and Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas. I believe in the importance of continuous learning and the value of rich conversations. I appreciate each interaction with our parents and guardians as we partner to shape the best high school experience for your student. I am a proud parent of one NW Cougar Alumni and a future senior, Northwest class of 2019.

As a recipient of the national Milken Educator Award in 2011, I recognize such accolades reflect the teamwork of our outstanding staff and Shawnee Mission School community. I have the privilege to work with a team committed to the comprehensive care of our children every day. Our Administrative Team is dedicated to serve our students, staff, and community. We have a passion for educating ALL young people as they discover their voice and begin to shape their place in our world.

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

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Springfield to our Northwest team! 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 and College Now.

Athletic Director / Associate Principal

Dr. Heath Wilson

We are excited to welcome Dr. Heath Wilson as our new Athletic Director. 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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