WASHINGTON: Students of a school in Washington were in for a surprise when former US president Barack Obama popped into their classroom to give them encouragement at the start of the new year.

After meeting the students, Obama posted a video on his Instagram account with the heading ?These young people that I met at McKinley Tech today are the reason I'm hopeful about the future. To all the young people headed back to school around the country: Make us proud. You're the next generation of leaders, and we need you.?

While speaking to the students, Obama told them: ?I do believe that most of the problems we have are going to be solved by you.?

The video shows the reaction of the students when Obama walked into their room with a cheerful ?How?s it going, everybody??

Since he left the White House, Obama has made very few public appearances.

Obama is expected to attend the fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee on September 27.