Teaching is more than just a five-day job for Trudi Bertie - she also puts in extra effort to get out and watch her students' weekend sports games or competitions.
Now the Northland teacher has come second in the primary/intermediate category of the search for New Zealand's Most Inspiring Teachers run by Warehouse Stationery.
Ms Bertie - known as Miss B to pupils at Maungakaramea School - started her teaching career at the rural school three and a half years ago.
"My Mum was always like 'be a teacher, be a teacher' and I was like 'no', because you never listen to your Mum.
"I did an after-school and holiday programme and from there I just got into it and it was something that really clicked."