Carrillo Ranch Elementary Teacher, a U.S. Army Reserve Captain and Mom, Appears on Ellen Degeneres Show

Michelle Cherland, a kindergarten teacher at Carrillo Rancho Elementary School in Indio, appeared as a guest on the Ellen Degeneres Show and the episode aired Wednesday afternoon.

Cherland is also a U.S. Army Reserve captain, her husband Rod is a correctional officer, and between they have seven children, they said in a pre-recorded interview on the syndicated show.

When Cherland deploys to locations including Afghanistan, Rod takes on a "dual parent role," the couple told Degeneres.

At the end of their appearance, Degeneres presented the Cherlands with a $15,000 check made out to Carrillo Rancho Elementary to help the school with expenses.