Pinewood students thought the most shocking thing about math teacher Courtney Spence was how fast he could hand back a test.

   That was until Feb. 1, when Spence casually walked onstage at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards and thanked his E period precalculus class for the inspiration for his biggest hits.

   For three years, while Pinewood students assumed he spent all his free time grading homework and explaining trigonometric identities, Spence had secretly been one of the United Kingdom’s top rappers of the 21st Century.

   Under the stage name “Lil’ Trigzy,” he had been selling out shows across the world on his “Big Trig Energy Tour.” His biggest show, held at Glastonbury Festival, reached over 25,000 fans and created a magnitude 2.3 earthquake from fans jumping up and down.

   Even with all the fame, he still showed up in class the next week, asking why nobody had completed the 15-page packet he had assigned the class before.

   According to Spence, his music career began in the most random way possible.

   “One night, I was grading 35 tests and started rhythmically beatboxing in my head,” Spence said. “Next thing you know, I’d written a whole verse on fractions.”

   His music quickly developed its own unique style. Instead of typical rap topics, his lyrics focused on school life and the reality of being a math teacher. His breakout hit, “Pi Hard,” features a collaboration with fellow British rappers Central Cee and EsDeeKid, where he claims he’s “fighting for the streets of the math department.”

   “Pi Hard was for sure my most mentally challenging track to write,” Spence said. “I tried to break free of my mathematical struggles but kept going in circles.”

   The secret almost lasted forever until sophomore Zachary Choi accidentally discovered the truth after recognizing Spence in a viral clip of one of his concerts.

   “I knew it was him because he had the exact same look he gives when someone forgets to bring their iPad to class,” Choi said.

   Once the truth was revealed, Spence’s fame exploded internationally. Within months, he was nominated for a Grammy and shocked the world by winning Best Rap Song with “Pi Hard.”

   During his acceptance speech, he stayed true to his roots.

   “I’d like to thank my students,” Spence said. “Without their struggle and confusion about the unit circle, none of this would’ve been possible.”

   Rumors are already emerging about Spence’s next move. Sources claim he may also collaborate with major American artists, such as Travis Scott, and launch another world tour. Even with the fame, Spence says he refuses to schedule concerts during exam week.

   “Honestly, performing in front of 20,000 fans is easy,” Spence said. “Try explaining trigonometry to a class at 8:30 in the morning.”