Outstanding story. Really like how you closed the circle on that with the potato ricer gift.
In high school, junior year, I had a physics teacher named Mr. Melnichuk. To get our attention and let us know his was no ordinary class, he set fire to a table on the first day of class. Of course it was done with great care, and a fire extinguisher in hand. I doubt that would go over well nowadays.
He remained my favorite teacher of all time, even including college professors. After waking all of us up from our zombie stupor, he managed to retain our attention and teach us some meaningful science. Will always be grateful to that mad lunatic for the practical and amazing ways he taught.
That is fantastic! And it worked! You didn't forget him.