Sometimes, we can make a big difference for people by doing something that seems simple enough for us. Indeed, it's entirely possible that you've been very influential in people's lives and outlook on the world without even realizing it.
Because as much as Thanos or M. Bison may make their rivals angrier by forgetting they even exist, there is some truth to their experiences. We can straight-up not remember meeting people only to end up discovering that it was one of the most important moments of their lives.
So when we see someone making a difference, it definitely helps to let them know about it. And enough people have done that for one Kentucky teacher that he's not likely to forget the impact of his kind actions.