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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque teacher Sonya Romero was still in shock Friday, a day after she and her school got the attention of talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
The kindergarten teacher was back in class after appearing on DeGeneres' show, where she was surprised with two giant $10,000 checks — one for her and one for Lew Wallace Elementary. Romero was invited to be a guest after the show's producers read about what she has done to help her students.
A teacher for 20 years, Romero has a reputation for giving to students even outside the classroom. At Lew Wallace, 75 percent of the students rely on free or reduced-price lunches. Romero often gives when she can such as clean clothes or breakfast for students who have had to go without.
"I was brought up that what you have, you share and, if you have a gift, you give it back," Romero told the Albuquerque Journal (http://bit.ly/1EEkcLn ).
Romero also opened her home last November to two sisters who are former students. Already raising a 14-year-old son, Romero took in the girls so they would not have to go to a foster family and change schools. The girls are still living with her.
She was recently featured in a local news segment as well as in a Washington Post article on children living in poverty. That exposure put her on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" radar.
Romero said she didn't know the show had interviewed her students and colleagues for a video, which brought her to tears.
"I couldn't believe the entire school kept it a secret," Romero said. "I was crying (on the show) because it was just this beautiful, humbling moment."
School principal Anne Marie Strangio said she was elated that Romero was getting well-deserved attention.
"She represents the best of humanity in elementary school teachers," Strangio said.
Thanks to the "Ellen" appearance, Romero and the school have been getting messages of support from the community and people outside of New Mexico. Some companies have also offered to make donations to Lew Wallace.
Strangio said the school has yet to decide what to do with the money but wants it for something that will have a long-term impact.
The first thing Romero will do with her money is treat all her colleagues to a luncheon on Wednesday.
"With so many pressures, we as educators get bogged down and think, 'Does what I'm doing matter?'" Romero said. "It's nice to know the public has our back and they know we're in this profession because we really do care about the children."
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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
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