Professor thought it was his fault when none of his students showed up on camera in online class — then they turned them on and made him cry
Online classes can often feel distant and impersonal, but one professor recently experienced a moment that showed just how meaningful those virtual connections could be. During what seemed like a regular Zoom session, he logged in to find every student’s camera turned off, leaving him staring at a screen of blank boxes. He tried to make sense of the silence, unaware that his students were quietly preparing a heartfelt surprise behind those dark screens. The touching moment was later shared on TikTok on January 10, 2026, by a user under the handle @sandria_47.
@sandria_47 During the height of remote learning, Chapman University professor Dr. James Brown was surprised by his students during their final Zoom class. As the session began, each student turned on their camera holding handwritten signs thanking him for his kindness, energy, and support throughout the semester. Overwhelmed, Dr. Brown became emotional, telling them, “You’re gonna make me cry.” The heartwarming moment was recorded and shared on TikTok by student Lauren Herrle, quickly going viral as a symbol of gratitude and connection during the isolation of online school. Follow @brain.nourishmentt for more awesome videos. #bekind #funnyvideos #meme #teachersoftiktok #foryou ♬ take a moment to breathe. - normal the kid
The video showed Dr. James Brown of Chapman University peering at his laptop, clearly puzzled as he greeted the class and noticed the empty screens. "I don't see anybody with their camera on," he commented. He then asked, “Seriously, is it my fault that you have your cameras off?” His tone was light but unsure. A student then spoke up, “Dr. Brown, we actually kind of wanted to do something.” The students’ cameras had been off because they wanted to surprise him with sweet handwritten messages.
He responded by asking if they planned to do it with their cameras still off, still unaware of what was about to happen next. Within seconds, the blank boxes disappeared. Each student switched on their camera and appeared holding a handwritten sign. One read, “Thank you for making a difference every day,” while another simply said, “Thank you, Dr. Brown.” The grid was filled with smiling faces and raised papers. The professor leaned closer to the screen, slowly reading the messages, clearly trying to take it all in. "I am reading each one," he shared.
As he continued reading, his expression shifted. He paused, removed his glasses, and wiped his eyes. His voice trembled as he told them, “You’re going to make me cry.” The students remained on screen, many of them smiling proudly at the reaction. The short clip captured him overwhelmed with emotion while the class watched quietly, allowing him a moment to process their gratitude.
The caption explained that this was their final Zoom class of the semester. The students, including Lauren Herrle, who recorded and shared the clip, wanted to thank him for his kindness, steady energy, and support throughout months of online learning. Even through screens, their gestures showed how deeply appreciation can be felt. The video quickly gained attention online, with many viewers praising both the students’ thoughtful gesture and the professor’s heartfelt reaction.
@djgigglybootyfart69 wrote in the comment section of the viral clip, "That is the sweetest thing ever." @alex_rantzzzz expressed, "Poor guy thought it was his fault, he's so sweet." @niahh2pretty6 joked, "My teacher would have said, 'Everyone turn y'all cameras on! I don't know what y'all are doing with them off. All cameras should be on, so turn them on now.'" Meanwhile, @kangasmason365 exclaimed, "Him crying got me crying."