West Wake News

In Charlotte, a first-grade teacher has been recognized with a prestigious national award. Vanessa Smith, an educator at Croft Community School, was announced as a recipient of the Milken Educator Award on Wednesday. This accolade comes with a $25,000 prize and marks Smith as North Carolina’s 57th honoree since the award's inception in 1987.

The announcement took place during what was expected to be a celebration of academic achievements at Croft Community School. During the event, remarks were made by Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Deputy State Superintendent Dr. Derrick Jordan. Following these comments, Stephanie Bishop, Vice President of Milken Educator Awards, revealed Smith's recognition and awarded her the cash prize.

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt praised Smith's innovative teaching methods: “Vanessa Smith’s creative instructional practices not only positively impact her students,” she stated, “but also inspire her fellow educators.” Truitt emphasized Smith's commitment to meeting students' academic needs and promoting professional development among her colleagues.

Smith employs unique teaching techniques such as using songs and chants to enhance literacy and math skills among her students. Her approach has resulted in notable improvements in student proficiency throughout the school year.

Beyond her classroom duties, Smith is active in mentoring new teachers and assisting with the Professional Learning Community (PLC) preparations for literacy assessments like DIBELS. She holds the distinction of being the first teacher in residence for "Classroom Central," advocating for educational equity across North Carolina’s southwest region.

Smith is National Board Certified and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Seton Hall University obtained in 2019. The Milken Family Foundation presents this annual award to recognize outstanding early-to-mid career educators through a confidential selection process involving state-appointed panels.

Award recipients join the national Milken Educator Network comprising nearly 3,000 professionals dedicated to educational excellence. They are invited to attend an awards forum in Los Angeles in April 2025 to engage with other educators on enhancing K-12 education impacts.

Additionally, they may participate in the Milken Friends Forever (MFF) mentoring program for guidance from veteran educators on advancing their roles in education leadership and policy.

The Milken Educator Award highlights those early-to-mid-career educators who have shown exceptional promise and achievement rather than serving as a lifetime honor. Recipients are selected based on current accomplishments and potential future contributions enhanced by this recognition.