Life-changing primary school teacher wins Highland Heroes accolade
ELAINE Maciver admitted that being announced Primary Teacher of the Year at Highland Heroes 2025 was “a bit overwhelming”.
A teacher at Drummond School, Inverness, which educates children with additional support needs (ASN), she was praised in her nomination for her immense care, including her life-saving actions when a child suffered a seizure.
Indeed it was a stint of work experience at Drummond School at the age of just 16 that confirmed her future career path as an ASN teacher - and she has never looked back.
Highland Heroes salutes extraordinary people
Highland Heroes are crowned in Inverness
Elaine, who was brought up on the Black Isle and is the longest-serving teacher currently at Drummond School, joked that she wasn’t sure if she would even make the glitzy Highland Heroes event as she is over 38 weeks pregnant.
She was a popular winner in a very strong field of shortlisted candidates.
She said: “It’s quite surreal actually. You don’t go into teaching to get nominations you go into it to teach children and make their lives better. So it's a bit overwhelming but really lovely to think that people thought I was deserving of the award.”
A nomination said: “She goes above and beyond for her kids in class and is also an amazing support to parents. She deserves this.”
Elaine had previously described Drummond as “an extremely special place”, adding: “It has the best children and young people who inspire me every day - it’s amazing to be part of their journey.
“Every day can be a challenge for them but they rise above and make us proud. There’s nothing more special than to watch a child achieve something they worked so hard to do.
“We’re a community. We compare ourselves to a family. These children are not just our pupils, they are an extension of our own families.”
The award was sponsored by Culloden Cars whose chief executive officer, Craig Walker, said the particular category holds a special place in his heart with teaching being a family tradition.
He described teachers as “the true superheroes, shaping the future one student at a time”.
Other shortlisted candidates were Muriel Murray, Angela McGoran and Louise Ross.
