Why This Teacher's Reunion With Ex Student Is Melting Internet's Heart

An Ahmedabad-based woman, a teacher by profession, shared a wholesome thread on X (Twitter) talking about a former student whom she recently reunited with. Revathi, also known as Revs on social media, shared two photos, a whopping thirteen years apart, embracing her student Alisha, who is now a teacher herself. The former Teach For India staffer also shared the story behind meeting Alisha for the first time and her journey as her mentor. Revs said that Alisha, once one of the naughtiest children at the institute, is now a teacher at a prestigious school in Mumbai. 

Revs' X (Twitter) thread has gone viral over social media, not only for the heartwarming factor but also shedding light on the impact that good and understanding teachers can have on mentees. Several people also shared stories of their relationships with their favourite teachers or guides who motivated them to be curious and study hard. 

Teacher's Viral Post

Revathi, who used to work with Teach For India, posted a photo of her reunion with Alisha, a former student whose life she impacted. In the humourous post, she wrote, "Alisha used to be one of the naughtiest kids in my class... The other teachers in school warned me about Alisha. She was a firebrand. She was her own boss. Doing what she wanted to do, when she wanted to do it."

There is a gap of 13 years between the two pics.
Alisha used to be one of the naughtiest kids in my class. Legend has it that she broke a few teeth of another child in my class because he was annoying her. The other teachers in school warned me about Alisha. She was a fire brand pic.twitter.com/dystYVPthv

— Revs :) (@Full_Meals) March 21, 2024

Revathi continued, "[Alisha was] incredibly smart but with no patience for anything, not even sitting down for 3 hours in an exam to put down what she had learnt on the paper. I spent my entire time as a teacher worrying about her and if she would become disciplined, find purpose in education, complete schooling and do something to help her better the circumstances of her life."

After the completion of her two-year stint with Teach For India, Revs received a letter from a former colleague. It was a handwritten essay by Alisha, on the topic 'Which person do you admire the most?' Alisha had raved about Revs' impact on her and described her love for the teacher in detail. "I remember reading this and being completely overwhelmed with emotion," Revs said on X.

Revs continued, "But I still worried if she would continue her education and make something out of life. We continued to remain in touch as she did college during the pandemic, and felt lost and confused about what she should do and what degree she should pursue." Revs also wrote that Alisha's family was going through many hardships during the pandemic.

Alisha's mother was the sole earner who worked from 4 am - 9 pm every day selling fish. She also had the responsibility of looking after her two siblings and contributing to the home. "Not to mention the significant challenges she faced at the home of a deadbeat father," Revs wrote.

Fast forward to 2024, Alisha now works as a teacher to special needs children "in a very prestigious school" in Mumbai. "I asked her why she chose to teach and why specifically children with special needs. And in her trademark tapori (colloquial) style, she's like, 'Didi, I've always wanted to be a teacher like you... You believed in me.. and didn't treat me like a nuisance'" Revs wrote.

Impact Of Student On Teacher

While we often hear of teachers impacting students, the stories of students leaving a mark on their teachers' lives are seldom spoken about. Revs shared, "When I chose to become a teacher in 2011, I didn't think of all the amazing, profound and meaningful ways in which it would change my life."

She further said, "I was a 24-year-old with no clue of what I wanted to do in life and this just seemed like a cool thing to do. If I had to think about the ONE thing that has had the deepest and widest impact on my life, it would be the Teach For India Fellowship and being a teacher." She talked about how the underprivileged children's positivity changed her life. 

Revs added, "The experience of spending 2 yrs teaching 20 kids in a small chawl in a run-down school in Mumbai. Kids whom most people had given up on. The deep love, compassion and forgiveness I received from children who I taught, the parents of those children and the many many ways in which it changed me fundamentally as a person."