KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dr. Troy Sawyer is ringing in the new year by celebrating a big win on Wheel of Fortune.

Sawyer won a grand total of $86,850 and a trip to the British Virgin Islands. The principal of Korte Elementary pulled in $40,000 of those winnings in the bonus round.

He’s already got plans for the winning funds, too.

“We want to get a renovated school bus that is renovated into a house and just live there with us and our two little wiener dogs,” Dr. Sawyer said.

Being on the show was a dream come true in itself.

“He was in another room and I heard him scream because he got an email like, ‘Oh my gosh they told me I could be on Wheel of Fortune and we have to go in a week and a half,'” Paul Murphy, Sawyer’s partner said.

His introduction wouldn’t be complete without a shoutout to the Korte Elementary Coyotes.

“When I introduced myself and I said you know howl out to my Korte Coyotes and did that, I didn’t know how that was going to go,” said the principal.

“When I solved my first puzzle and heard the audience doing the howl back that’s really what eased my nerves and knowing I had that support.”

He’s also taking what he learned from being on the show into the classroom so kids can learn about strategy, good sportsmanship and leadership.

“They get to see me as Dr. Sawyer all of the time and I am really excited for the first time they get to see Troy and who Troy is in the element of a game show we talk about all the time,” he explained.

Someone who’s had that opportunity is one of the students Sawyer taught 16 years ago.

“I feel like I owe my education to him because he was a fun teacher and I just became a mechanical engineer this year,” said former student Roberto Barrera.

“He’s one of those of teachers that made me get here.”

From Hollywood to Kansas City, this Wheel of Fortune winner is coming home to more than money and prizes; a community that will watch him live on television.