Excellent Educator

BY DEB McAULIFFE, Times-Union Staff Writer

The look on his face said Bob Dillon had no idea he was being honored.

But the deafening applause that echoed through the gym said no one deserved it more.

Dillon, the music teacher at Harrison and Lincoln elementaries, received the WNDU Excellence in Education award in a special presentation Tuesday at Harrison.

WNDU anchor Trisha Sloma said she had to read through more than 400 letters of nomination for teachers all over Michiana, "but the letters from Harrison touched my heart, touched the judges' hearts."

Like this one from Becky Crim: "He's a teacher like no other. ... He shows a good example of what a teacher should be like. He means the world to me."

The award recognizes an educator who has "gone beyond the call of duty" in making a difference in kids' lives. Dillon was chosen, Sloma said, "because you've inspired students with wisdom, wit and overall enthusiasm."

The extent of Dillon's inspiration was evident Tuesday as, in a scene straight from Hollywood, students past and present told how Dillon changed their lives.

Dillon received a second surprise as principal Randy Polston introduced a special visitor: former student Kent Zimmerman, a professional actor who is working on Broadway and who will be touring the country in a production of "Showboat" this summer.

Zimmerman, who is known to local audiences for his work at the Wagon Wheel Theatre, was flown out from New York by R.R. Donnelley & Sons especially for the occasion.

He said Dillon "started me out in music" and fondly recalled those early days in school. "I loved to come to music class - we sang 'Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog' ... If I got a triangle to play it was the best day."

Dillon noticed the young Zimmerman's gifts almost immediately. "Bob started working with him as a third- or fourth-grader to pull his talent out even more," Polston said.

"He gave me strength and confidence in myself," Zimmerman said. "... Without you, I wouldn't be here today."

Other students echoed Zimmerman's sentiments.

"You really helped me start out in music," said a boy from Lakeview Middle School. "You showed me what I could do, and now I'm singing solos."

"I always thought you were hard on me, but you were teaching me how life was gonna be. Thanks a lot," said another Lakeview student.

"You were the first one to bring music into my life, and I've loved it ever since," said a girl from Warsaw Community High School. "Everything I am as a singer and actress I owe to you."

Dillon's daughters Courtney and Abby were there for their father's special moment. "He is not only a great teacher, but a wonderful father ... He makes you laugh so hard your worries go away," Courtney said.

"He's an awesome dad, spiritually, emotionally and physically," said Abby.

Polston nominated Dillon for the award because "his love of children comes out in the time and effort he puts in their lives on a daily basis. ... He wants to pull the best out of every child," he said.

Dillon was "in shock" over Tuesday's surprise, Polston said. When Dillon noticed his former students in the gym a few minutes before the presentation, Polston told him they were rehearsing for "Charlotte's Web" and asked him to help with the microphone. Not until he walked into the gym to fill in for "Charlotte" did Dillon realize something was up.

In accepting his award, Dillon thanked "my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, because that is who I live to please."

Growing up without TV, the Internet and computers, he said, a lot of time was devoted to music in his home, and his parents instilled a love of music in him.

The 17-year veteran of the Warsaw school system said he'll never leave "unless you get rid of me." He accepted his award "on behalf of all the teachers I work with ... Warsaw is a great place to teach."