“I had lovely teachers who were engaging and who I built good relationships with.” Her first teaching job was in Te Anau. “I enjoyed being part of a small community.” Almost seven years later she moved to Timaru’s Washdyke School then Sacred Heart in Timaru for 14 years. Her previous role was deputy principal at St Joseph s School in Timaru for four years. Though not sporty O’Brien enjoys teaching PE the most while her passion is reading. O’Brien and her husband, Mike, met when they were in the same class at Roncalli College but did not start dating until they were in their 20s, as they had mutual friends.