Getting life and financial advice from Warren Buffett seems like a dream come true. For one Omaha teacher, it is an opportunity she never saw coming, but one she cherishes and now uses as a teaching moment.
Before Piccolo's closed in 2015, Ellen Augustine a South High teacher, moonlighted as a waitress at the Steakhouse Buffett frequented. She vividly remembers serving him for the first time in 2005 at his annual Christmas party.
"There were about 25 people there and I go to serve Mr. Buffett his Cherry Coke and I set it on the table and it falls over and our white table cloth is now brown," said Augustine.
Augustine says she was mortified, but Buffett laughed it off. She then got the opportunity to serve the billionaire for years.
"Number one lesson, be patient. He is the most patient person I have ever met," said Augustine.
Overtime, waiting on Warren helped Augustine learn invaluable life lessons she decided to share with her students.
"My first time ever mentioning his name I had so many students say who is that," said Augustine.
The teacher wanted to make sure her students didn't just learn Buffett's name, but adopted some of his life principles.
"Smile! He loves to talk about making other people smile," said Augustine.
For years, Augustine has taught a week long Warren Buffett course to her Intro to Economics Class. Students don't just learn about financial investments, they are taught Buffett's best investment tip.
"Invest in yourself before you invest in others. In this economy you are something. You are worth something. What do you want that to be," said Augustine.
Augustine says she still sees Buffett from time to time since she now waitresses at Gorat's.
