Ellen DeGeneres Show Surprises PG County Hero School Bus Driver [VIDEO]

The school bus driver who was credited with saving the lives of 20 children after her bus caught fire last month got a big surprise from daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres during an interview on her show. Renita Smith recounted her experience on Sept. 12 when she rushed children off the bus as it went in flames on an episode of "Ellen" that aired Tuesday.

"I had to make sure all of my babies were accounted for," she said in the interview.

But the big surprise came at the end of the four-minute segment, when DeGeneres suddenly surprised her with a check for $20,000, resulting in a delighted squeal from Smith.

Smith said during the interview she noticed her brake light came on, and by the time she got to the next stop sign, the children on the bus said they smelled smoke.

"By the time I picked up the mic to call transportation, the bus was on fire," she said.

Thanks to her quick thinking, however, Smith was able to get all 20 children off the bus, even running back into the burning bus to make sure everyone was off.

She was also honored by the Prince George's County Fire Department for her actions.

Image via Prince George's County Fire Department