Inverness Culloden Academy teacher is Secondary Teacher of the Year at Highland Heroes Awards 2025

A Culloden Academy teacher said it was “terryfing and special” to be named Secondary Teacher of the year at last night’s Highland Heroes awards.

Rachel Cavellini, who is a religious, moral and philosophical studies teacher, said she did not expect to win the award - for which she was nominated for going the extra mile to make her classes as inclusive as possible.

Teenager is Highland Heroes brave child winner

Highland Heroes modest champ admits ‘I must be doing something right!’

Highland Heroes are crowned in Inverness

Talking after being handed the award, Mrs Cavellini said: “We don’t do this for recognition, but my mantra when I talk to the kids is to be who you needed when you were younger.

“I really like the idea that I have been able to grow into this role where I have been able to provide a safe space for the kids where they can be the person they want to be, the person they are.

“That means a lot to me, it’s really special.”

She said that she likes to thing her classroom is a safe place where pupils can make mistakes.

“I pride myself with having a really good relationship with the students, as best as it can be.

“That’s really important to me, that every day is a fresh start, that they get the same me they get every day - whether that’s making a joke or asking ‘hey, you don’t seem yourself today, how are you doing? Is there anything you need to talk about?’”

She added that she has done a lot of work with pupils who are neurodivergent.

“It’s just making that space somewhere where they know that they can succeed and thrive even though they have a lot of barriers in life,” she explained.

“It’s something I take a lot of pride in doing.”

Mrs Cavellini was one of three finalists, with Julie Valentine from Glen Urquhart High School and Chris Mounfield from Golspie High School also making the shortlist.

Mrs Cavellini also uses her free time to jointly run (with teacher Flo Skinner) the Rights and Equalities Group, which welcomes a diverse range of pupils to work together to make their school community an accessible and inclusive place to learn.

Organised by Highland News and Media, Highland Heroes celebrates the unsung heroes from communities across the region.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.