David Grover is the principal at Iola High School and has been recognized as a visionary leader and an exceptional supporter of the arts. He received his Bachelor of History Education degree from Kansas State University and earned his Master degree in Educational Leadership from Emporia State University. Principal Grover has been a part of Kansas education for more than twenty-five years. He has taught high school social studies in Erie and Golden Plains. For twenty-one years, he has coached high school basketball and has been recognized as Coach of the Year five times. As the Principal of Iola High School, he has been honored as the KASSP Area II Principal of the Year.

The situation in Iola is unique from most high school programs because all of the students involved in fine arts must travel three blocks to the Bowlus Fine Arts Center for their classes. Despite these challenges, Principal Grover has embraced the many positive aspects of the Center and has worked with the teachers and directors to make it work to the benefit of the students.

Despite a district-wide budget cut of more than one million dollars, Principal Grover actively supported the addition of an orchestra class at Iola High School. That fledgling class of ten orchestra students has today grown into three classes of high school and middle school ensembles with nearly seventy students participating. He believes that all children can learn and thrive in a learning environment that is stimulating, comforting, and appropriate to their unique talents and abilities.

Congratulations, KMEA 2012 Honor Administrator, Mr. David Grover!