This time last year, Melissa Bell was the principal of one of Otago's top girls' secondary schools.
Now, having relinquished the prestigious position at St Hilda's Collegiate almost a year ago, the 44-year-old has gone back to the ''pit face of education'', teaching history at John McGlashan College.
And she is loving every second of it.
''It's a fairy-tale of sorts,'' she said.
''It was totally the right decision, though it took a long time to get to the point where I was ready to make the call.
''I really have loved every minute of it. There hasn't been a single moment where I've thought, 'what have I done?'
''Working with young people is the best part of the job.''
Ms Bell resigned from the principal's position at the end of 2014 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in March 2013.
''To be honest, I always said in my heart that I would love to return to teaching, but I think what my illness did was help me realise that you don't necessarily have unlimited time.
''So if you want to do something, you should really do it now, rather than put things off into the future.''
She said hindsight was a wonderful thing and, looking back with the knowledge and experiences she had accumulated over the past two years, she would have done things quite differently.
''Why does it take a crisis in life for us to really realise where our heart lies?''
I think when something does happen that changes your future, you have this moment of clarity, and I guess I wish for everyone that we have that moment of clarity before you're diagnosed with stage three cancer - that would be really good.
''It's not that I was unhappy before, but I think there's that sense of doing what your heart really wants you to do and being where you know you belong.
''I'm definitely right there.''
One of the major factors in her decision to go back teaching was it would give her more time to spend with her young family.
''I think my boys are still adjusting to having me home all the time and having me home for dinner at night is still a bit of a novelty.
''There are a lot of evening meetings and commitments, and a bit of travelling as well when you are a principal.
''Kids grow up so quickly.
''It's definitely been great being home with family and just being around for all those normal things.''
Ms Bell said she had no plans to return to principalship.
''My plans for the future are just about having a life outside of work, and I wasn't particularly good at that when I was a principal. For me, it was all-consuming.
''Never say never, but I don't want my work-life balance to go back to that.''
The only thing she missed about St Hilda's was the pupils.
''I have to confess that whenever I see one of those pale blue uniforms, if I'm driving my car I'm tempted to pull over and catch up with whoever it is.''
In terms of health, she said there was not much to say.
Her chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery was complete, but she was having ongoing hormone treatment.
''At the moment, my official status is `no evidence of disease'. I have six-monthly check-ups, and I'm feeling really positive and confident.''
