Sarah Manchester wins $1 million on Wheel of Fortune

NEW YORK (WABC) -- For Sarah Manchester, the toughest task since winning $1 million on the "Wheel of Fortune" game show was keeping it a secret from her friends during the long months since her winning round was taped back in May.

Her kids had to keep silent too, but it turns out her son and daughter might just be the biggest winners here.

The wheel spun in her favor on the show that aired Wednesday night on ABC and her family was there to help Manchester celebrate.

"It's just shock, amazement, wonder. (I) never expected anything like that. I really, really didn't," she said.

Only two other contestants have won the top prize since 2008 when it was first introduced -- after "Wheel" had already been on for a quarter century.

The math teacher from Maryland had to solve puzzle and make it to the bonus round without going bankrupt.

Host Pat Sajak had to remind her of the high stakes: "OMG ... I was focused on the puzzle there," she said.

The teacher has played the game since she was a student, which is perhaps why the puzzle came pretty easily: "LOUD LAUGHTER."

How soon did she know she was going to solve it? "Right away," she said.

A million dollars is enough to change the lives of this math teacher and her family. "The kids' options for college are certainly a lot broader than before," Manchester said.

But Manchester has headed back to the classroom for now - just where she has been for the past 17 years.

"I love my job. I love my students. I don't know what it's going to be like when I get back to school on Monday morning, but I'm certainly not going to make any significant lifestyle changes at this point."

Manchester will take her million dollars in annual installments over the next 20 years to lessen her tax bite, and she plans to give some of the money to charity.