Subject(s) taught: General Elementary Grade(s):
Pre-K,
K,
1
At the time of the Award, Vanessa Choleva was:
Teacher
Croft Community School
Charlotte, NC
Subject(s) taught: General Elementary
Grade(s):
1
Biographical Information
Vanessa Choleva won the Milken Educator Award as Vanessa Smith. Now serving as a Multi-Classroom Leader (MCL) at Grove Park Elementary, Choleva supports educators and students across Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade, with a focus on foundational learning and whole-child growth. She brings enthusiasm, warmth, and a deep commitment to ensuring that every young learner has the strong academic and social-emotional foundation needed to thrive.
As a Multi-Classroom Leader, Choleva partners with teachers to strengthen instruction, analyze student data, and develop responsive practices that meet the diverse needs of young learners. She supports teachers through collaborative planning, modeling, coaching, co-teaching, and professional learning, helping translate data and research-based practices into meaningful classroom experiences. Her passion for foundational literacy and mathematics drives her work to build strong instructional systems and create engaging learning environments where students can experience both confidence and success.
Throughout her career, Choleva has demonstrated a commitment to developing educators and strengthening schools. She has mentored beginning teachers, welcomed educators into her classroom for observation and learning, and supported professional learning communities in using student data to improve instruction. She has served in teacher leadership roles at both the school and district levels, including as an Extended Impact Teacher in her district’s Teacher Leader Pathway Program, where she demonstrated exceptional student growth. She also served as the Teacher in Residence for Classroom Central, representing teachers across North Carolina’s southwest region and contributing to educational decisions that impact students and educators while advocating for equity in education.
Choleva is a National Board Certified Teacher and Milken Educator Award recipient. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Seton Hall University in 2019. She continues to be inspired by the opportunity to develop educators, champion young learners, and create systems that help both teachers and students thrive.
