Jenna Bush Hager recalls a savage comment someone made about her job early in her career (exclusive)

Jenna Bush Hager was not always Hoda Kotb's sidekick in the fourth hour of the Today. Longtime fans know that the co-host began her career as an elementary school teacher, which gave rise to at least one interaction so incredible that she still thinks about it today.

parade spoke to the media personality and author about her recent campaign with household paper brand Kleenex, which celebrated its 100th anniversary by gifting teachers and students the supplies they need for the year. Since Bush Hager is a former teacher, this is a natural partnership.

As the 42-year-old spoke about her experiences in public schools in Baltimore and Washington, DC, she recalled a remarkable remark someone made to her when they learned about her profession.

“When I was a teacher, I was a third-grade teacher. When I was visiting my sister in New York who worked at a museum, I went to a party with her and someone asked me, 'What do you do?' And I said, 'I'm a third-grade teacher!'”

Bush Hager then remembered the person telling her, “How sweet.”

Completely baffled, she said, “My kids are cute, but my job is not cute. It's demanding, it's intellectually stimulating, it's hard.”

She further pointed out that the responsibilities of her previous role were not as easy as many believe and that her campaign with Kleenex was a symbolic way of acknowledging the bigger picture.

“I think what we sometimes don't realize is that teachers are, of course, educators, but they're also counselors and facilitators, they give love – they teach leadership, kindness and compassion, and with that comes feelings and kids who aren't doing well and all those things,” she explained.

“Through symbolism alone, the fact that Kleenex is one of the most important things we bring into our schools shows how important teachers are to our culture and our communities.”

Through their partnership with Kleenex, a school in need will receive a massive donation of $100,000 and an additional $400,000 will be distributed to 100 other schools nominated by their communities.

To nominate a school, visit kleenex100years.com now through Monday, August 26 and complete a two-part written questionnaire explaining why you believe the school deserves the donations. According to the brand, “schools are evaluated using an objective set of criteria and those selected are those that embody Kleenex's mission to provide students with resources to navigate everyday moments of vulnerability and thrive.”

Next: Jenna Bush Hager describes her interaction with Donna Kelce on the set of the new Hallmark movie