If we can all agree on one thing, it’s that teachers don’t get nearly enough credit for all the hard work they do.

Except sometimes, they go to become famous celebrities…

This list of people who used to work as teachers might surprise you just a little bit.

Gene Simmons?!?! Who knew?

1. Hugh Jackman

Jackman was a high school gym teacher in England before hitting it big as an actor.

2. Gene Simmons

Before becoming a superstar in KISS, Gene Simmons was a sixth-grade teacher in Harlem in New York City.

3. John Krasinski

The actor taught English abroad in Costa Rica.

4. Jon Hamm

Mr. Don Draper of Mad Men fame worked as a daycare teacher and a high school drama teacher.

5. Sting

Sting, aka Gordon Sumner, taught school in England before he was a member of The Police.

6. J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter author taught English in Portugal.

7. Craig Robinson

The funnyman taught music to elementary and middle school students in Chicago.

8. Andy Griffith

The beloved actor taught high school music.

9. Mr. T

I pity the fool who got on Mr. T’s bad side when he was a gym teacher in Chicago.

10. Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow taught music while she played in bands on weekends.

11. Art Garfunkel

Garfunkel worked as a math teacher in the early 1970s.

12. Stephen King

The Master of Horror taught high school English in his native Maine while he worked on his writing during nights and weekends before he published his first novel.

13. Benedict Cumberbatch

Cumberbatch taught English abroad in India.

14. Billy Crystal

When Crystal first started doing standup comedy he worked as a substitute teacher.

15. Brian May

Queen’s famous guitar player taught math before hitting the big time.

Hats off to all the teachers out there!