NJ Teacher Competes On 'Wheel Of Fortune'

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Passaic County teacher’s word puzzle skills have been put to the test, as he was recently a contestant on an upcoming episode of “Wheel of Fortune.”

Andrew Smith, an 8th-grade Social Studies teacher at Christopher Columbus Middle School in Clifton, was a contestant on the hit game show “Wheel of Fortune,” and the episode will be airing this week.

According to Clifton Public School representatives, Smith’s family signed him up last year “as a joke” after he displayed impressive skills on the game show’s app.

A week later, Smith got an interview with the “Wheel of Fortune” team.

During the process, Smith was asked if he wanted to be featured on the show’s “Teachers’ Week” to represent Christopher Columbus Middle School. He enthusiastically said yes, school representatives said.

He then flew to California on April 24 to compete on the 50-year-old, Emmy Award-winning game show.

“It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I’ve never been afraid to try new things, but after being on Wheel of Fortune, I now feel like I can do anything,” Smith said in a school statement. “Growing up, I had a terrible fear of public speaking, and in unfamiliar situations, I was often reserved. Looking back now, the idea that I will be on national television competing in front of millions of people still amazes me. I don’t think anything will top that.”

The five-year Clifton teacher said that his determination to overcome his fear of public speaking, which was displayed on his television debut, is the same determination he hopes to instill in his students.

“I always try to instill in my students the belief that they can achieve anything. In my classroom, I focus on collaboration and encourage my students to talk more than I do. I don’t want to just lecture; I want our class to be an ongoing conversation. Every student has valuable ideas, and I make it a priority to listen to their voices and experiences,” he said. “I was once a student afraid of public speaking, yet I became a teacher, and I got to appear on Wheel of Fortune in front of a national audience. If I can do it, anyone can. I want every student to know they are capable of achieving whatever they set their mind to.”

The “Wheel of Fortune” episode featuring Smith will air on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.