AN INSPIRATIONAL Ayrshire headteacher will be celebrating next year after she found out she is set to receive an MBE for her services to education.

Teresa Porter (Nee Galli), 50, has been included in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for 2019 and will be given the royal recognition for her work in 2020.

The teacher began her career in 1991 at Muirkirk Primary School, before moving on to teach children at Sacred Heart in Ballantrae and Newton Primary in Ayr.

She then moved to Kilmarnock in 2001 to her current role as Headteacher at Riccarton Early Childhood Centre.

During the last 18 years, she has built on good practice already in place and led the centre and staff on their journey towards excellence.

She said: “I wasn’t expecting it at all, I’m delighted and honoured to receive it. Thanks to whoever nominated me, I am just doing my job, I just love my job.”

Teresa pictured to the left of Education Secretary John Swinney MSP earlier this year.