- We are partnering up with Target this month
for their thanks a billion campaign.
It's about showing appreciation to our teachers
and here's how we're going to help.
We're about to surprise an amazing principle
named Carlotta Brown from Peck Elementary
in Houston, Texas.
She works seven days a week dedicating a life
to her students who are mostly poor or homeless.
So Jeannie is at the school right now,
we're about to surprise them. Hi, Jeannie.
Hi, Ellen. Okay, so there are about
300 students inside because she thinks
that she's going to be shooting a video promo
for our show next season.
They think that in just a couple of minutes
they're going to be Skyping with the creative director
of the promo, but of course, we all know
that you're the one that's gonna pop up on that screen.
- I'm gonna surprise them. Okay.
Carlotta? Surprise.
Hi.
[cheers and applause]
- Say hello to Ellen, Carlotta.
- Hi, Carlotta. - Hi, Ellen, how are you?
- I'm great. How are you?
- I'm fine, I'm fine. Finally feel so fine.
- I do know how fine you are. You're an amazing woman.
So you weren't expecting me, but I've heard a lot about you.
Not only you work seven days a week,
you're on call 24/7 for your students.
Tell us about that.
- Ellen, my children-- can you hear me?
- Yes, I can.
- Are the most important thing to me.
They are the most important thing.
And if they need me, I am there.
My staff needs me, I am there.
If this community needs me, I am there.
I love Peck.
- Well, they're lucky to have you.
So...
They are so lucky to have you.
You helped establish a homeless outreach program
in your school, but it helps the entire district.
Explain what that is.
- Okay. Well, the homeless outreach department
is located at Peck.
And I want to tell you about five years ago,
the homeless outreach department was kind of homeless.
And so they called me,
and they ask if they come to Peck,
and I said, "Sure.
We have a home for you."
And when we moved to the new Peck,
I told them, "You're moving with me."
And so I want to show you the outreach workers, okay?
- Yes, please. - Raise your hands.
- Good for y'all.
So you've done so much for your school,
you've spent money out of your own pocket
to help students and teachers, and I love this, Carlotta.
Tell everybody what you-- what you love most
about your job.
- I love my children being happy.
I want them to come in every day with a smile,
and leave with a smile knowing that
we are there for them in spite of
whatever adversity they face on each and every day.
We are there for them.
That life is just a small obstacle
that you can overcome to have a successful life
- with education. - Yep, yep, yep.
[cheers and applause]
Well, Carlotta, listen to this, okay?
Our friends at Target appreciate what you've done
you've done for your school, and they know
you could use some help, and we've got
a big check for Peck Elementary.
It's actually one of the biggest,
if not the biggest we've ever given away.
Jeannie, will you grab that check?
All right.
Carlotta, you ready to see the big check?
You want to see how much this is?
For Peck Elementary?
- Yes. - All right.
- Yes. - Jeannie, open the check.
- Yes. I'm ready.
- $100,000.
[cheers and applause]
For Peck Elementary.
That's for your school.
- Show them the check, show them the check.
[cheers and applause]
- All right. You can visit Facebook--
Target's Facebook page to share a message of gratitude
for a teacher who has impacted your life
and Target will give $25 to the school of your choice.
We will be back.
Jennifer, I want you to tell us
what makes Carlotta so--
I don't think we need an explanation
of why she's so special,
but what do you think makes her so special?
- Mrs. Brown is so generous.
She's an outstanding principal.
The love that she has for her faculty,
her staff, the students,
it's just amazing.
And I'm getting worked up because
this woman gives generously her time, her money.
There's nothing that the school kids need
that she would not give.
There's nothing that the faculty needs
that she would not do.
She goes above and beyond to meet the needs
of our community.
- Yeah. She's, uh, I know she's, uh,
opens up on the weekends so kids can come in on the weekends.
She buys flowers and gives her--
the kids flowers to bring home to their parents.
I mean, that's amazing.
You're--you're really incredible, Carlotta.
And in addition to everything else that you're going through,
I know you have a difficult situation.
You're taking care of your husband,
who is now, uh, suffering.
He has pancreatic cancer.
- Yes. - So that's a lot--
- He does. He has pancreatic cancer.
- Mm-hmm. - It--it is.
But we--we're making it. We're doing what we need to do.
- Well. - He--I mean, we're striving.
He loves me, I love him,
and we're just doing what we need to do
because, you know, life is good. Life is good.
And we have each other, and I have my family,
and I have my school family, and I have my teachers.
I have everything that I need in order to make it every day.
And so, you know, we just-- we're doing what we need to do.
- God is good. - Yes.
Well, you are doing so much good,
and spreading so much love,
which is really the only thing that matters.
Except when you're struggling with bills.
So Target is going to help you out,
and we want to give you a check for $10,000 from Target.
[cheers and applause]
For your family.
- Oh, my God.
Thank you, Ellen.