Rotorua's new Principals' Association president did not always have her heart set on being a teacher.
Instead, Rotokawa School principal Briar Stewart had dreams of being a truck driver.
But her father staunchly said no.
"Being a woman in a time when your career choices were limited to nursing, teaching or being a secretary, wanting to be a truck driver was frowned upon," Mrs Stewart recalled, so she decided to go down the education route.
"I went to a wee country school, Alfriston Model School. I had a fantastic teacher, Des Scott, who was an ex-Navy officer.
"He loved maths, te reo Maori, non-stop cricket, sport and loved playing the ukulele while singing. We all loved going to school.
"We also had trainee teachers from Ardmore Training College come to learn the craft of teaching and they made it look like fun, so it was not hard choosing education - given truck driving was not allowed," she said with a laugh.
Now, about 30 years later, Mrs Stewart knows she made the right choice.
"All teachers feel nervous when the school year starts but as soon as the kids walk through the gates, those nerves go away and the love of children's learning shines through.
"We can all care for kids and be their best mate but there also needs to be that care for their learning and how we can prepare them for jobs that have not been created yet."
Mrs Stewart said she had taken time out from her career to have her own children and pursue business opportunities but always returned to the classroom.
"It's the sound of children's voices, their laughter and the excitement of learning that keeps bringing you back."
She said she was excited to take on the presidency of the Rotorua Principals' Association.
"I think everyone should take their turn being a leader and one of the standout strengths of our association is how inclusive it is.
"It's that old saying, 'teamwork makes a dream work'."
Local iwi's high level of engagement in the education sector was another strength for Rotorua, she said.
"The iwi has some fantastic education initiatives they are keen to share with us. That engagement is invaluable."
Mrs Stewart said although there were challenges ahead, such as the freeze on operational funding, she had exciting plans in place.
"There will be heaps of learning from others and a focus on working together to involve the community and promote excellence across Rotorua."