March Award of Excellence Winner

Congratulations to Michael Grove, Alternative Education Teacher, Norfolk Senior High (AFS), is the recipient of the NPS Award for Excellence for March 2026.

Thank you, Michael, for your dedication, hard work, and service to our students, staff, and the NPS community!


Listed below are excerpts from some of the submitted narratives of Michael's nomination:

  • As the Coordinator of the Alternatives For Success (AFS) program at Norfolk Senior High School, Michael exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a leader, mentor, and educator in service to at-risk youth. Michael’s dedication to our students is evident in every aspect of his work. He consistently goes above and beyond to support students both academically and personally—often staying late, planning meticulously, and offering thoughtful, individualized feedback. His ability to mentor students through difficult situations has been nothing short of transformative.
  • Mike is not simply an employee; he is the heartbeat of AFS, greatly enhancing the lives of our most vulnerable students.  Mike exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated mentor and leader for at-risk youth. He consistently goes above and beyond—mentoring students through personal challenges, implementing initiatives that improve outcomes, and creating a supportive, high-expectation environment. He has dedicated himself to growing into this leadership role, successfully creating a predictable and safe environment.
  • Mike is a caring and devoted educator who consistently works to improve the quality of life and learning for every student he serves. As a high-quality teammate, he leads with empathy, collaboration, and integrity—always willing to lend support and share ideas for the good of the team.


Michael received his award at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 9th. Please congratulate Michael on this well-deserved award!