By Dave O'Brien

Record-Courier staff writer

AURORA -- Accepting her Coleman Foundation 2008 Educator of the Year Award Thursday night on the stage at Aurora High School, Mandy Gillis said there was a pool on when she would start crying during the award presentation.

"I started in about three seconds. So whoever had three seconds, you win," joked Gillis, the special services supervisor for the Field School District and Non-Traditional Educator award winner.

Gillis' "Academy Award," as she described it, was one of five given out annually by the Coleman Foundation to Portage County educators nominated by others for their dedication to teaching.

Each comes with a plaque and $1,000 to be used by the educator, often for the further benefit of their students or school. The Coleman Foundation also put together a short video presentation on each recipient, with personal testimonials from friends, colleagues and students.

Ellen Pochedley, who teaches autistic and multiple-handicapped special education students at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent, called her High School Educator award "wonderful" and "a heightened affirmation" of her work.

"In my life's journey, my students have taught me ... to look at each individual and respect their role in my life. And they have been persistent in getting their message across," she said.

First grade teacher Debra Walton of Walls Elementary School in Kent, winner of the Pre-K to Middle School award, said she tries to instill manners and respect for others' feelings in her students.

Beginning her acceptance speech with a quote, she said students "'may not remember what you say, but they'll never forget the way you make them feel' ... Every year I add about twenty new, important little people to my family."

As winner of the College/University teaching award, Kent State University professor Joseph Drew "sees beyond the Kent campus," according to his video presentation, helping handicapped war veterans and students get a college education using accessibility-improving technology such as modified power buttons for computers and Braille language-embossing printers.

Drew said he wants to ensure access to higher education for the handicapped using technological advances and "quality" online degree programs.

"I'm very, very humbled and honored" to accept the award, he said.

Terry Lee Kuhn -- emeritus professor of music at KSU, advisor to countless students as a member of the university's provost office and winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award -- joked during his speech that he had to pinch himself before entering the pre-ceremony reception.

"I thought 'I'm real, because that hurt,' but the harp music that was playing made me think the angels had flocked around me," the 67-year-old joked.

A representative of U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the congressman, said each recipient also would get a Congressional citation as recognition for their achievement.