When “Ellen” calls, you listen. A recent phone call from the “Ellen” show landed Staten Island history teacher Gaspare Randazzo on Monday’s episode. “When the ‘Ellen’ show called me, it was like 7:30 p.m. and I thought it was one of those spam calls to extend my car warranty or something,” said Randazzo, 31, of Huguenot. “I wasn’t going to pick up, but when I did, I couldn’t believe they were asking to speak with me.”

Randazzo was selected to appear on the show following a nationwide call for teachers who go above and beyond. His wife, Melissa, nominated him three years ago, but he only recently heard back. On Monday, Randazzo was a contestant on “Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls,” an “Ellen” show segment that saw him compete against another history teacher in a presidential trivia game. Prior to virtual taping, he was sent an Abraham Lincoln costume to wear on the show.