Donna, outstanding post and you have demonstrated the true concept of what Dr. Joe Pace from The Pacific Institute calls Intelligent Heart. We as instructors cannot afford to become personal with our students and it is not in the best interest of our students to allow our emotions to get in the way of proper academic rigor. However there is nothing that says we cannot be empathetic to the needs of our students and be critical thinkers, creative thinkers and problem solvers to continually find new and innovative ways to connect and engage our students which you have obviously been able to do within your Math class. Thanks for all that you do and keep up the great work. Your students and your institution are very fortunate to have you as an educator. James Jackson