Most students only see their teachers as the people standing at the front of the room, grading papers, giving lectures and reminding them to turn in homework. But outside those walls, many educators have talents that would surprise even their closest students. From guitars to poetry to sneaker shopping, these teachers prove there’s more to them than lesson plans and test prep. Their stories show that passion, creativity and curiosity don’t stop at the classroom door—they just take on new forms.
“I don’t know if they’ll be completely shocked, but my students do know that I play guitar,” AP World History teacher Matt Riley said. “I’ve been playing since high school. I even keep one in my classroom, though I don’t take it out too often. Yesterday during eighth period, the class was working quietly, so I decided to pull out the guitar and play a few tunes. It was just a nice, relaxing moment.”
Music has always been more than a hobby for Riley – it is a piece of who he is. What started as casual curiosity turned into a passion that’s followed him for years, all thanks to a family connection.
“My uncle used to play guitar, and one day he had a bunch of them sitting out. I picked one up and started strumming, and he asked if I wanted to keep it and practice,” Riley said. “So I did. I started working on it every day, got better over time, and eventually taught myself how to play and jam with other people.”
His talent eventually made its way into the classroom and beyond.
“At my last school, the librarian knew that a few of us teachers played music, so she asked us to perform in front of the whole school,” Riley said. “We practiced a few songs and performed, and I think the students were surprised to see their teachers had some hidden talent. It was really cool and eye-opening for them.”
While Riley expresses himself through music, Law and Investigations teacher Jeffrey Schiller shows the world his creativity through words. Known for his humor and easygoing personality, his deeper passions always catch others off guard.
“I think people would be surprised because I joke around a lot and don’t usually come off as serious,” Schiller said. “But I’m actually writing a book that combines education and psychology. Most of my talents come from my time in the military and law enforcement… but my real strengths are in teaching, building relationships and servant leadership.”
His love for writing began in an unexpected place—after being kicked out of English class in high school. What started as rebellion quickly became inspiration for a lifelong pursuit.
“My senior year, my teacher kicked me out, and I spent the rest of the year in the office,” Schiller said. “They let me take a test to pass the class, and I aced it. That’s when I realized maybe I had a knack for writing. In college, one of my professors encouraged me to keep writing, and I ended up majoring in English. I fell in love with writing fiction and fantasy. I’ve written several books—none published yet—but I am a published poet. I especially love writing dark poetry and children’s poetry, kind of like a mix between Dr. Seuss and Edgar Allan Poe.”
Now, Schiller uses his writing to help his students find their own voices. He brings poetry into his law classes, showing that creativity and communication go hand in hand.
“Poetry always surprises my students,” Schiller said. “I teach law, so they don’t expect it to come up—but I use it to help them find their voice. I have them write poems about themselves or what’s going on in their lives to help them express emotion and energy through words. In law enforcement, being able to connect quickly and sincerely with people is crucial—whether it’s during a domestic dispute or a crisis situation. Poetry teaches us how to communicate with compassion and truth.”
Not every teacher’s hidden talent is artistic and musical. For Business teacher Cheryse Miller, it is something more relatable: shopping. Her lighthearted honesty about her favorite hobby often opens doors for connections that go beyond academics.
“I have a bit of a shopping addiction, and I usually tell my students that every year,” Miller said. “A few years ago, I had a student who used to shop for sneakers during class. I found out he ran an online sneaker store. Once I told him about my shopping habits, he started sending me sneaker deal sites and tips on finding good buys. That’s actually how I got into sneaker shopping and learning how to spot great deals. It opened up a whole new hobby I didn’t expect to enjoy.”