Lisa Wichman's Teacher Story: From The Price is Right to the Peck Music Room 

As a music teacher, I’ve been on many stages—from school auditoriums to Carnegie Hall.

But in 2017, I stepped onto a stage I’d only ever seen on TV. The announcer called my name (well, almost—he didn’t quite get the pronunciation right): “Lisa Wichman—come on down!”

Yes, I was a contestant on The Price is Right. I played the games, I spun the Big Wheel, and I even won the Showcase Showdown! I walked away with amazing prizes, applause, and an unforgettable story.

But here’s the truth: my favorite stage has never been a game show set or a concert hall. It’s the music classroom. That’s where my real showcase has been built over four decades: a showcase of students’ voices, their growth, their confidence, and their joy.

I’d love to share my Teacher Story—not just how I became a teacher, but the lessons I’ve learned and  the moments that have been the true prizes of my career.

Come On Down: The Call to Teaching

Getting called to Contestants’ Row on The Price is Right isn’t random. The producers look for people with energy and enthusiasm—people who light up a room. From the moment I walked into the Hollywood studio with my husband and our sons, I treated it like an audition, giving it all the energy I usually pour into my classroom. And it worked!

Teaching, for me, wasn’t random either. My parents saw how drawn I was to music and enrolled me in piano lessons at seven, and pipe organ lessons at sixteen. Music quickly became more than just notes—it was creativity, discipline, and a language for feelings when words weren’t enough.

At the same time, I always loved children. Babysitting, teaching Vacation Bible School, working as a camp counselor—I found joy in guiding kids, encouraging them, and watching them grow. Becoming a music teacher united those two loves perfectly. It wasn’t a leap into the unknown; it was stepping into exactly where I was called to be.

Early Bids: Lessons from the First Year

If you’ve ever watched Contestants’ Row, you know the first bids are sometimes way off. That’s how my first years in the music classroom felt—full of energy and ideas, but not always organized.

Thankfully, a mentor encouraged me to pursue Kodály training, an experience-based approach to music education built on the belief that “only the best is good enough for children.” That six-year journey reshaped my teaching forever, grounding my lessons in singing, skill-building, active music-making, and joy.

I was so inspired that when we adopted a kitten during that time, I named her Kody.

The Plinko Moments: Unpredictable and Unforgettable

The Plinko portion of The Price is Right is thrilling because it’s unpredictable—you drop the chip and just hope. Teaching is much the same: you prepare, plan, and aim high, but sometimes the “chip” bounces in unexpected directions.

I began my career in the Kinnelon Public Schools, teaching kindergarten through second grade music. Over time, my days expanded to include everything from preschool music to middle school choirs and handbells. I became a chameleon, adjusting my approach, tone, and energy to meet the needs of each age group.  It was exhausting, but it taught me flexibility and resilience.

After 33 wonderful years, I retired from Kinnelon and felt ready for a new leap. In 2018, my Plinko chip bounced me straight to Peck.

Called Down Again: A New Stage at Peck

At Peck, I’ve thrived for the past seven years in a community that truly celebrates children. Still, moving into a new environment after decades in public school wasn’t without its challenges. I had to learn new traditions, adjust expectations, and sometimes face doubt. But those moments pushed me to grow, to rethink lessons, and to meet students exactly where they were.

And the rewards? They’ve been incredible.

Watching a once-reluctant student blossom into a confident chorus member.

Seeing a child open up and discover joy and self-expression through the ukulele.

Hearing the classroom fall into awed silence after a beautiful musical performance, followed by the cheers of a 'Snickers Moment'—our name for something truly satisfying.

It’s in these moments that I’m reminded why I teach. These sparks of confidence, creativity, and joy are far richer than any game show prize.

The Real Showcase

On The Price is Right, the showcase is the grand prize—cars, vacations, appliances. But in teaching, my showcase isn’t made of things. It’s made of people:

The thousands of students I’ve been privileged to teach.

The colleagues who inspire me.

The administrators who encourage me.

The parents and community who celebrate student growth.

In 2017, I left a TV studio with prizes that eventually wore out or faded. But this showcase—the smiles, the breakthroughs, the sparks of curiosity—only grows richer with time.

To my fellow teachers: your efforts, your patience, your passion—they matter. Every moment in your classroom is part of your own showcase. Because in the end, the greatest reward isn’t something you can win—it’s the difference we make in the lives of our students.

And that, to me, is truly priceless.