Overview:
As Pat Sajak has walked the set of Wheel of Fortune for the last time on June 7, 2024.
As Pat Sajak has walked the set of Wheel of Fortune for the last time, educators would be remiss not to acknowledge the significance of the impact of his work on teachers and students alike. Millions of children, especially children of color in impoverished areas, have vivid memories of sitting in front of the television to watch Wheel of Fortune after dinner. This tradition was not one to be taken lightly. It was a must to be seated in front of the, most times, tiny television set to watch the show.
This nervous energy always filled the room as onlookers attempted to prepare their brains to guess the puzzles for the night or strategize to identify the letters that would successfully solve the enigma during the final round.
Wheel of Fortune in Our Homes
Wheel of Fortune ‘watch parties’ with Sajak have occurred in America’s homes for forty-one years. Sajak and his trusty sidekick, Vanna White, have brought diverse groups of people across the world together to tune in for their hearty jokes and sly comments and, most importantly, to bring unspeakable joy to a global community through the awarding of prizes and money.
When the contestants on the screen were playing the game, it didn’t matter where they were from or their political affiliation; the millions of cheerleaders clapped and screamed on the other side of the TV screen when they were successful and let out sighs of despair, when they weren’t, were just enamored to feel like they were in the moment with the participants. I am unsure if Pat and Vanna knew this, but they gave hope to a global community that, in every decade of the show’s existence, needed LOVE!
Pat Sajak as a Teacher
Pat Sajak probably doesn’t think he has any connection to education, but his work over the last four decades proves he was a teacher to America and the global community. If you asked him, I’m sure he would think he taught Americans to read or learn how to solve puzzles. But Pat did more than that. Unbeknownst to him, he subconsciously set the tone for educators in America’s classrooms.
Pat is the educator who retires from the field, highly celebrated and decorated, because they have given ALL they can. He is the respected educator that parents, students, and community members adore. He is an educator who shifts the trajectory of the school because no matter how great his replacement might be, the school is never the same. Reflecting on Pat Sajak’s illustrious forty-one-year career, I think about three tenets educators should take away from Pat and his lifelong work.
Inclusivity Mindset on Wheel of Fortune
Pat was intentional about engaging everyone who spun the wheel. He would walk around to the participants and ask jarring questions to learn more about them and try to find a way to connect with them all. He had a knack for making contestants feel seen and affirmed by acknowledging their individualism and celebrating their uniqueness. This is a gem today’s educators must embrace. Everyone should feel welcome on your campus, and their individuality should be validated.
Family Engagement with Wheel of Fortune
Pat had millions of families gathered around the television, enjoying the time to sit with each other as they attempted to solve the puzzles. The thirty minutes Wheel of Fortune was on TV was a sacred time in many households. It is a memory many families have because it was when people of all ages gathered together to be together on purpose. School personnel have to create school activities that become traditions for families. Opportunities for families to make memories by convening to eat, play educational games, and meet the educators responsible for the growth and development of their children are paramount. Successful school communities are so because they understand the importance of ensuring families feel like they belong.
Cheer for everyone
In forty-one years, Pat has seen astounding contestants and those who didn’t fare so well. He still cheered for you whether you had hundreds of thousands of dollars or zero. He celebrated small victories and made contestants feel like they still could win. This is the mindset of America’s successful educators. They understand that not all students have the same learning styles and cannot retain the same amounts of information, and they don’t expect them to do so. Instead, they focus on their abilities, cheer them on, no matter the outcome, and make them believe that even when they haven’t performed at their best, there is still hope to do so.
