Teacher Rachel Gordon thought her top assignment for the day would be breaking down subtraction to her class of first graders.

Little did she know that her principal at Stetson Elementary was helping us plan a big surprise in the school library.

"Excuse me! I need to find Rachel Gordon!"

I congratulated the Wheel Watcher... who was no longer thinking about mathematics. Now she's focused on buying vowels, spinning the wheel, and solving puzzles for prizes on Wheel of Fortune.

Rachel says, "I'm just in shock. I can't believe that this would happen to me. I am so happy, you guys just don't even know... just the experience alone. I don't think I'm going to work the rest of the day!"

Fellow teachers say Rachel lives and breathes the popular game show. They knew she would stand out among the thousands who showed up in Cripple Creek last month for the chance to appear on the show.

Teacher Suzanne Junk says, "Being a first grade teacher we know a lot of tricky spellings and so forth and the letter combinations and I think she'll do very well on the show."

Teacher Amanda Bunkers says, "We are excited for her. It's amazing!"

Rachel couldn't wait to tell her family and is now planning her trip to California. In fact, her taping's next Friday. She's going with the backing of the Stetson Elementary Raiders who are behind her 100 percent.
Rachel is among ten southern Colorado residents chosen to be Wheel of Fortune contestants. Her episode will be taped next Friday, November 20th in Culver City, California. It will be aired early next year. We'll keep you posted!