History Teacher to Appear on Jeopardy!

History teacher Rachel Hirsch always dreamt of being on the game show Jeopardy! since she was a teenager. As a nightly ritual, the whole Hirsch family ate dinner together and would watch the show while eating dessert. They often kept track of who was winning on a napkin. After all the members of her family repeatedly took the online test to determine selectability, Rachel became the only one in the family to make it as a Jeopardy! contestant. At the end of October, she traveled to Los Angeles to film the episode that airs tonight, 12/12/13, on Channel 4 at 7:30 p.m. E.S.T.

After taking the test this past spring, she attended a regional callback in May that involved a written test interview and sample game. At the end of the summer, Jeopardy! called to invite Rachel to come to LA as an official contestant. Over a period of two full days, there were five shows filmed with a lot of other contestants from all over the country and Canada whom she wasn’t sure if she would compete against. She was the only teacher. Rachel said the live audience was the most fun she’s ever had aside from her wedding day. 

“I didn’t mind if I lost to anyone because they were all smart and kind,” said Rachel. “Everyone who worked on the show was also really funny and made us feel so good about being there. It was like the best game night ever.”

In preparation, Rachel studied a lot. But with a toddler at home and a full roster of classes, finding adequate time was challenging.

“I practiced presidents and tried to think of factual items that would help me reference bigger issues, events and time periods,” said Rachel. “I refreshed country capitals and geography study. I read a lot of People magazine." 

The production crew advised the contestants to watch the show as much as possible in advance and Rachel was given a pen to use for practice buzzing in, which she describes as a tricky part of the experience. Her husband supported her from the audience, but they weren’t allowed to make eye contact to prevent cheating. As for Alex Trebek, Rachel said she appreciated his sense of humor.

“I like to say that everybody loses on Jeopardy! It is just a question of how precocious you are," she said. "The saddest part for me is that I won’t get to do it again. Although I feel very good since this was on my bucket list, I’m so lucky.”

Rachel has encouraged everybody to take the online test that is offered once a year.

“Of course I tried to encourage my students to participate in the Teen Tournament!”