A wealthy CEO was at a dinner party when he decided to belittle a woman after she told him she works as a teacher, but it did not take long for him to realize that he’d made a huge mistake.

As the guests sat at dinner, the CEO argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to be a teacher?”

“Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach,” the CEO continued, before turning to one guest and saying, “You’re a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?”

Bonnie, who was known for her honesty, replied, “You want to know what I make?” She then paused before saying:

“Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5 without an iPod, Game Cube, or movie rental. You want to know what I make?”

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them how to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn’t everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn’t everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make, Mr. CEO?”

The CEO was left speechless by this. The story serves as a reminder that instead of educating our children to be rich, we should educate them to be happy so that they know the value of things rather than the price.