A recent video by a Southern California educator captures the moment she and her class work together to safely get through a seizure aura. The TikTok post, shared by Jessica (yarelijessica), currently has 21.5 million views. It shows her sitting on the floor in front of her classroom display board. While her face looks drawn and it is clear she is struggling, she maintains a calm, instructional tone to get her kindergartners to cooperate.
The video starts with the on-screen text that simply reads, “Seizure Aura kicking in.” The camera is aimed at the TikToker and catches the onset of her symptoms. From the noise, you can tell the classroom is fairly boisterous. However, the minute Jessica tells them, “I don’t feel very good,” everything quietens.
Jessica haltingly tells her class, “So we have to make sure that we keep our voices low and we keep our bodies calm, okay? Because if it gets too loud, I’m gonna have to ask Miss Lopez to come in here and help me out. Okay? So just bear with me for about an hour, okay? We have two lectures to get to. We’re gonna write, read, and then we’re gonna go out for lunch. Hopefully after lunch, I can feel a little bit better.”
The kids rally hard
Their reactions are heartbreakingly wholesome. One student immediately tells her, “I can do anything for you, Miss Jessica.” Even as she struggles, it makes Jessica break into a tired grin. Another student agrees, adding, “All of us,” followed by a third student saying, “I’m doing whatever you say.”
Jessica responds by telling them, “Okay? So as long as you guys keep your voices low, it should be okay. Okay. And then hopefully after lunch, my shivers can go away. Okay? Can we do that?” The students respond in unison, “Yeah!”
According to WebMD, an aura is a feeling, experience, or movement that seems different and can serve as a warning that a seizure is about to happen. These experiences are often part of a partial, or focal seizure, where only a part of the brain is affected.
Unlike other seizures, you stay awake and aware during a focal seizure. Seizures can be pretty debilitating, as the passengers on an Air Canada flight recently experienced when a pilot suffered one mid-flight. In a different situation, a woman’s partner chose to use her seizure to try and use her credit card instead of helping her.
While some people might only experience the aura itself, others may find it leads into a more significant seizure. WebMD notes that auras can include sensory changes like flashing lights, unusual smells, or physical sensations like nausea and tingling.
Many viewers were all praise for Jessica’s transparency. One user commented, “My daughter is 11 with seizures and she wants to be a teacher. Today.. I needed this. Thank you.” Someone else noted, “being vulnerable and sharing with them is so important.” Another user saw the possibility in what she shared, “You’re telling me I still could’ve become an elementary school teacher even with my seizures.”
Not everyone was supportive, though. One user wrote, “I don’t think this is good for children to witness. It’s scary for them. Not only that, recording while teaching is wrong.” Another commenter argued, “I dont disagree with you being a teacher with epilepsy, what i do disagree with is why there is no teaching assistant in the room with you to safeguard you and those children incase anything were to happen!”
Conversely, some parents defended the experience as a valuable lesson in empathy. One user wrote, “Everyone is complaining but I think this is a perfect learning experience for kids. Learning to be compassionate and considerate of others health as well as their own behaviour and how it may affect someone.”
Jessica provided more details in a follow-up video where she thanked the community for their support. She told her critics that between her medication and life lessons, she has “learned how to live with seizures, then how to read my body.” She told her audience that she loves her class and has the support of her family, co-workers and support system.
“To answer any questions,” she says, “no, they did not see me have a convulsive seizure. I have the green light from my neurologist to work with children. No one is traumatized. Everyone is happy. Everyone is learning. Everyone is thriving. We are okay.” In a later video, in response to a harsh critic, she further highlighted the importance of representation for people living with disabilities, showing that they are simply living their lives.
Published: Jul 31, 2026 06:34 am