A high school history teacher from Miami, Florida...

Drew Joanides

Students: Miami Sunset wishes Mr. Joanides good luck on Jeopardy!

How did you prepare to be on Jeopardy!?
The way I prepared for Jeopardy! was that I had a number of friends who were very generous with their time and frequently quizzed me often using trivia sites online.

What made you choose a career in teaching?
Well, I enjoyed school as a student--um, I certainly enjoyed my subject as a history major--and I wanted to pass along the tradition of education.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge on the show?
I think my biggest challenge will be clicking in at the right time and not getting locked out.

...

How did you prepare to be on the show?
I've had a few coaches who've generously given me their time, drilling me with questions relentlessly, um, which certainly has paid off, and of course watching Jeopardy! has helped tremendously as well.

How did you become a Jeopardy! contestant?
My very good friend Michelle Martinez, who's also my department head, sent me a text message letting me know that there'd be an open audition at Aventura Mall the following day [2012-07-14], so, having no plans, I decided to go down and give it a shot. It worked out, and then I went to the second audition the following day, and I guess the rest is history.

What do you hope your students will learn from watching you on Jeopardy!?
Being on Jeopardy! has been a long-held dream of mine, and hopefully they'll appreciate the fact that if you have a dream that you want to pursue, um, that you should go for it, um, tenaciously, and with persistence, your dreams can become realities.

What was the best part of your experience on Jeopardy!?
Uh, meeting all the wonderful people, who've been incredibly helpful, incredibly friendly, very nice, um, polite, courteous. It's just been an amazing experience overall. Everyone I've met has been very positive. Um, it's been terrific.

"He is one of our four teachers competing in our tournament that teaches at his own alma mater. From Miami, Florida, say hi to..."

2012-B Teachers Tournament semifinalist: $10,000.

Drew teaches at Miami Sunset Senior High School in Miami, Florida.

Last name pronounced like "jo-NEE-dees".

Drew appeared in the following 2 archived games:
#6480, aired 2012-11-16 Drew Joanides vs. Brenton Montie vs. Colby Burnett 2012-B Teachers Tournament semifinal game 3.
#6477, aired 2012-11-13 Whitney Collins vs. Drew Joanides vs. Kate Wilson 2012-B Teachers Tournament quarterfinal game 5.

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