
Woman tracks down her favorite teacher and has the most heartwarming twitter exchange
By Robin ZlotnickUpdated
You know that one teacher you had that you'll never forget? The person who really saw you, supported you, and made you fall in love with learning? The teacher whose lessons are burned into your brain years after the fact? That's who Jenny Thompson was for Raifa Rafiq. And when Raifa finally remembered her name, she finally tracked her down and had the most heartwarming exchange on Twitter.
OMFG! Guys. There was literally a teacher at school who I loved so dearly (English teacher - she left when I was in year 10) and I don’t even know why but randomly decided to do internet stalkies because I’ve always wanted to find her and thank her because gosh I love her.
— Raifa Rafiq (@RaifaRafiq) September 7, 2020
We've all randomly stalked our former teachers and classmates on the internet. It's what the internet is there for. And believe me when I say teachers always appreciate former students reaching out and thanking them for the impact they've had on their life.
Anyways, successfully found her twitter (didn’t know her first name until I remembered a teacher calling her Jenny one day - I searched my memory hard). It’s been 10 years and she looks so different and I’ve only just confirmed it’s her because she went to Clares College...
— Raifa Rafiq (@RaifaRafiq) September 7, 2020
So, Raifa went ahead and found her on Twitter after a lightbulb moment where she reached into the depths of her memory well to remember her first name. Jenny Thompson isn't the most uncommon name, so Raifa had to confirm some other details to make sure it was really her because, well, it's been a long time, and no one looks the way they used to.
And I was obsessed with Clares College Cambridge because of her. And I don’t know why but I got teary seeing her picture and so proud of her she’s a head teacher - I want to message her like hey I love you, and you changed the course of my life - but don’t want to sound stupid.
— Raifa Rafiq (@RaifaRafiq) September 7, 2020
Raifa got emotional seeing where her teacher had ended up because she loved her so much. But she still felt weird about messaging her to thank her because she didn't want to "sound stupid." I promise you, any nice note to a teacher will not sound stupid and will be immensely appreciated.
I don’t know why I want to cry 🥺
— Raifa Rafiq (@RaifaRafiq) September 7, 2020
She also didn't want to risk Miss Thompson not remembering her. It would be hard to realize that a teacher that had such an impact on you doesn't even remember you, but I think teachers, especially wonderful teachers who form strong connections with students like Miss Thompson, tend to remember the kids who were engaged in their classes.
Turns out Raifa didn't even have to privately message Miss Thompson. Miss Thompson came across the thread on her own (possibly because it went totally viral) and messaged Raifa herself.
@RaifaRafiq let me message you first to say I loved you way more than you could ever have loved me - you changed MY life. I am so proud of who you are but it is also no surprise to me - you were born to change the game 🥰
— Jenny Thompson (@DTA_JThompson) September 8, 2020
Well now I'm crying and I don't even know either of these people. It's such a special thing to express your appreciation for another person and to have that appreciation reciprocated. Of course Miss Thompson remembers Raifa, who is now a lawyer, a writer, and an award-winning podcaster. Raifa could hardly even contain herself after receiving this message from Miss Thompson.
OMG Miss Thompson HI ❤️ I’ve wanted to say so many things to you over the years but all in all, I’m so grateful you were put in my path because I needed you exactly when you arrived and I’m grateful to you, you made me fall in love with learning, expanded my world and my future.
— Raifa Rafiq (@RaifaRafiq) September 8, 2020
How do you even put into words what your favorite teacher means to you? It's impossible! They not only help you become a better learner but a better person. They help you realize the best parts of yourself. Raifa managed to say it very eloquently.
Your gratitude is beautiful - as you always have been - but, trust me, you were never going to do anything other than soar. You taught me where to set expectations - Raifa-high x
— Jenny Thompson (@DTA_JThompson) September 8, 2020
This is maybe the cutest Twitter exchange I have ever witnessed. These two people clearly gave each other a lot and contributed to each others' lives in such positive, memorable ways. We often think about how teachers impact the lives of their students, but Jenny Thompson proves that the opposite is also true. Teachers not only remember their students but are often inspired by them while they're in their classroom and beyond.