Hi John - it's been a busy day for me - hadn't read this thread before now.
When I think about school the teachers who stand out for me where the ones who went the extra yards to make a personal connection.
Sounds like you're one of those guys
They may not get the platitudes, or even the thread replies - but I'm sure you do make a difference John and I'm sure there are students who think fondly of you in the same way I think fondly of my role models at school
D