Negotiations Division Rep for Central (2022-2024),
Ed Advisory Rep for Central (2026-present)
What is your vision for the position on the Executive Committee, and how do you plan to bring this vision to fruition during your term?
My goal as a MESPA board representation would be to champion the priorities of MESPA members. In my ten years in MESPA, I have seen MESPA continue to grow and adapt to the challenging role that principals have been given. I am so grateful to have received mentoring, professional development, and connections from around the state. The secretary/treasurer position places a critical role in providing updates of board minutes and financial statements to our board of directors and to the larger MESPA constituency. Beyond the roles in the board meetings, it is my goal to support the growth and development of Minnesota principals through MESPA’s work in advocacy and professional development.
How do you envision your role on the board as ensuring representation and inclusivity for all MESPA members?
The Secretary/Treasurer role provides communication across the board and throughout the organization. My vision for clear organizational communication includes clear board minutes, updates through MESPA newsletters, updates at Institute and other MESPA events. I appreciate MESPA’s division structure as it allows the board of directors a two way structure for communication to ensure board decisions are clear while also listening to the individual needs of each division.
What past professional experiences have uniquely prepared you for a leadership role on the MESPA board of directors?
I find it hard to believe that I have been an administrator for over ten years now. The transition that we all go through in our career as we move from learning the job to deepening our knowledge and mentoring others is a beautiful place to be. I absolutely love being a school principal. In my previous district, I was asked to serve as acting superintendent for five months, and I can honestly say that being a school principal is the best job in E-12 education. I do not see myself moving out of the principal role any time soon! My career included being an administrator in rural and urban schools. I have worked in four different states and had the opportunity now to mentor new principals in my own district. If chosen as MESPA’s secretary/treasurer, I would honor the opportunity to learn from our veteran principals and to share any knowledge with our early career colleagues.
What key issues affecting principals and schools would you prioritize when engaging with legislators on behalf of MESPA?
MESPA Officers have a unique platform to connect with legislators to discuss the needs of schools and school principals to our senators and representatives. As a representative of MESPA, I would first defer to the Legislative Resolutions Committee and their work to support principals and schools across Minnesota. The most recent legislative priorities have been focus on school funding including Special Education and ELL cross subsidies, Pre-K funding for all students, funding for school based supports (assistant principals, counselors, and social workers), reducing class sizes, pension reform and attracting/retaining educators of color. As MESPA Secretary/Treasurer, I would be very interested in helping to provide voice to this important committee that represents all of our voices.
What steps will you take to foster collaboration and build strong relationships among all MESPA members?
MESPA’s Secretary/Treasurer directly supports the president and president-elect in their work and communication across our organization. Collaboration and strong relationships are built on a solid foundation of trust, clear communication, and a willingness to listen. However, I believe the greatest way for our members to feel connected is through personal interactions—division meetings, lunch conversations at Institute, phone call check-ins, and other intentional efforts to connect with principals throughout the state.
If selected, I would work to be visible, approachable, and responsive to all MESPA members. I would listen carefully to the different experiences of principals serving rural, suburban, and urban communities, as well as principals at every stage of their careers. I would also use MESPA’s division structure to encourage two-way communication so that members understand the work of the board and the board continues to hear directly from its members. MESPA has given me meaningful relationships with colleagues from across Minnesota, and I would work to ensure that every member has opportunities to build those same connections. My goal would be for members to know that their experiences are valued, their concerns are heard, and they have colleagues across the state who are ready to support them.
Jim Litwin
School: Horace Mann School
Where:St. Paul, MN
Division: St. Paul
Past Leadership Positions
Membership Committee Rep (2007-2009)
St. Paul Division Leadership Award (2008)
Membership Chair (2009-2012)
St. Paul Division President (2012-2014)
Financial Awareness Committee Rep (2022-2023)
Financial Awareness Chair (2023-2025)
MESPA Secretary/Treasurer (2025-present)
What is your vision for the position on the Executive Committee how do you plan to bring this vision to fruition during your term?
Our country and our state are constantly shifting, and with those changes come new, complex realities for our schools. If we want our organization to truly sustain our principals and assistant principals today and far into the future, we must be agile—deeply responsive to the evolving conditions in Minnesota and the changing needs of our members.
I am whole-heartedly committed to this vision. For me, it starts with nurturing a genuine, supportive community where no leader feels isolated. By ensuring our Association communicates with clarity and warmth, generously sharing my own time and talents with our Board, and always standing ready as a trusted resource and listening ear for my colleagues, I know we can lift each other up.
How do you envision your role on the board as ensuring representation and inclusivity for all MESPA members?
Serving our association alongside my daily work in one of Minnesota’s largest, most diverse districts has shaped who I am. I strive to bring an intentional equity lens to everything I do. Our classrooms, communities, and colleagues are shaped by complex dynamics of race, language, culture, gender, ability, and sexuality. To truly serve you, I am committed to listening, seeking out diverse perspectives, and maintaining a growth mindset. As a white male, I recognize my responsibility to share my perspective honestly while actively working to interrupt systemic practices that marginalize our students and families. I promise to bring my experience, my dedication to continuous learning, and my whole heart to supporting our Board and standing by each of you.
What past professional experiences have uniquely prepared you for a leadership role on the MESPA board of directors?
Mentors, supervisors, MESPA leaders, and my principal colleagues paved the path for my leadership. Observations of my colleague's work and professional networking have driven my growth. When paired with professional development through Saint Paul’s Leadership Academy, Minnesota’s Principal Academy, the Fordham Leadership Institute, MESPA Institutes, and other national leadership conferences, I have had the opportunity to learn from diverse leadership styles.
Service to the profession grounds my commitment. I have had the opportunity to work in collaboration with four MESPA Executive Directors: serving terms as Saint Paul Division and Principal Association President, a year as Secretary/Treasurer for the Executive Team, chairing the Membership and Financial Awareness committees, and my current role on the Executive Team as Secretary/Treasurer.
While school contexts vary across Minnesota, the core purpose remains identical. The principalship still provides me immense energy and purpose. My continued service on the Board ensures fellow leaders receive support and guidance I can provide.
What key issues affecting principals and schools would you prioritize when engaging with legislators on behalf of MESPA?
Advocacy for MESPA and NAESP legislative priorities drives our work. Daily interactions with students and families provide a clear view of current school realities, which differ vastly from the school days of lawmakers. Lawmakers must understand that past attendance in a school does not create educational expertise. Statutes should rely on the proven experience of Association members. I would recommend the following targeted legislative priorities:
Require a licensed principal in every public and charter school.
Secure full, reliable finances for state and federal mandates—including Special Education, universal Pre-K, and principal development
Secure school environments to protect children and adults--including allowing principal flexibility to exclude students while preparing plans and supports.
What steps will you take to foster collaboration and build strong relationships among all MESPA members?
As Secretary/Treasurer, I will support our President, the Board of Directors, and our Executive Director. I will promote our shared vision for MESPA. I will provide transparent and clearn communication. I will monitor and report our finances. I will work to achieve our Strategic Plan and goals. I will actively seek out diverse perspectives and ideas from our membership to guide Board decisions. I will advocate for our members and the students and families you represent.
