Highland Council's south area education and learning manager Fiona Shearer 'humbled' by Proud Scotland Award win
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Fiona Shearer has dedicated her Proud Scotland Award win to teaching staff across Highlands who champion equality and diversity as an "important part of the curriculum".
The Highland Council south area education and learning manager was presented with the Proud Scotland Award for education at the beginning of the month, beating off competition from other teachers, schools and universities, Glasgow Science Centre and the Musselburgh Sea Cadets.
Shearer says her entire career in education has been rooted in inter-personal relationships, something that stemmed from her own mentors and head teachers.
That has continued through to her regional role, so she sees the efforts that earned her the Proud Scotland Award as merely enabling others – like Muirtown Primary School, or Nairn Academy, who have each earned recognition for inclusive approaches – to make a difference.
"For me, as a teacher and a head teacher, relationships and connections have always been the first priority, and I was very fortunate to have had some amazing head teachers as a role model for me with this throughout my career," Shearer explained.
"In school it is about how we connect with the children and young people in our care, and as a leader, it is about how we do that with staff as well. In my role as area manager, I try to take those same values and I see my job as being there to support our head teachers in delivering the best outcomes for children and young people in our schools.
"Part of the reason I was nominated for this award was for doing just that – providing support when colleagues needed it – and I feel very humbled and proud that in doing my job I have been able to make a difference to someone in that way.
"This award is really for all of the staff I work with who do an amazing job, day in day out to support our children and young people across the Highlands. It is for all of our young people who are doing amazing work in our schools to promote equalities and diversities, which is such an important part of the curriculum.
"It is important that we support all children and young people, but also that our staff know they are supported too.
"Highland Council had the rainbow flag flying first thing on June 1, both at HQ and at the town house and I feel proud to work for such an inclusive authority."
Even though so much work has gone in to help everyone thrive, Shearer still was not expecting to win in Glasgow.
In fact, had it not been for a gentle nudge from Highland Council's executive chief officer for education and learning Nicky Grant, Shearer may still be waiting to actually hold her prize.
"Getting to the finals was amazing in itself, but to win was a real shock and I was not expecting it at all," she said.
"I was stunned when they called my name, as it was a really strong category, with very worthy finalists. Nicky Grant had to remind me that I needed to actually get up and go collect the award!
"It was a fantastic night, seeing and hearing about the work that so many individuals and businesses do to support, promote and be allies to the LGBTQ+ community was really moving and inspiring.
"It was also good to be able to catch up with Emma Roddick MSP, who was also nominated for an award, and it was great that we were both there to represent the Highlands at these awards too.
"Plus, The Bay City Rollers were performing too, which was brilliant!"
With a significant documented rise in hate crime against LGBTQ+ people over the last decade, it is easy to think that education is the proverbial silver bullet that will help reverse the trend.
However, educators and schools are coming under attack too.
Most recently, this could be seen in Highland Council's neighbouring Moray, where a Drag Queen Story Hour event became a national talking point – although it did eventually proceed with minimal protests, enjoyed by over 100 people.
As far as Shearer is concerned, that has only served to reinforce how important inclusive education is.
"There has been so much hatred and misinformation in relation to LGBTQ issues recently, particularly online and it saddens me that this is being whipped up to create fear and panic against people, just for being who they are," she added.
"This is why education is key in making the change through an inclusive approach and being able to inspire future generations.
"The work of our children and young people in Highland is having an impact on this already, which is just fantastic.
"Unfortunately I was unable to attend the Drag Queen story time recently, but it was a huge success, with lots of fun stories for children with singing and dancing. What better way to encourage a love of reading in our young folks?"
