That an unknown high school teacher from a minority community could run for presidency and beat seasoned politicians was unheard of.

BBC: Africa

Hull was an unknown Canadian journalist and Peter was a Canadian teacher who had also been a counsellor, school psychologist, prison instructor and consultant.

ECONOMIST: Guru

In October 2000 a Wexford school teacher, Eoin Colfer, won the largest advance ever paid to an unknown writer in Britain for his children's book, Artemis Fowl.

BBC: Irish PM's daughter signs book deal