Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had [Hardcover]

Brad Cohen (Author), Lisa Wysocky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2005

As a child with Tourette's, Brad was ridiculed, beaten, mocked, and shunned. This story of unwavering determination proves anyone can make their dreams come true. Ends with 20+ motivational tips on living with a disability.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Brad Cohen's story proves how much is possible when you expect the best of everyone, especially yourself." -- Peter J. Hollenbeck, Ph.D. Professor, Purdue University

"I have observed the magic of Brad Cohen in the classroom. He has turned . . . his life into inspiration." -- Senator Johnny Isakson, Georgia

"This is a story for every underdog, for everyone who has ever stumbled in life." -- Jim Eisenreich, former Major League Baseball player with Tourette's

Book Bonus section is four-page article titled "Special Educator," reflecting the inspiration Brad Cohen brings to his classes. -- People magazine, September 12, 2005

Deciding to be a teacher at age 10, [Cohen] faced many hurdles. Award-winning teacher's latest achievement: this book. -- Instructor magazine, September 2005

First Place Winner, Best Education Book of 2005 -- Independent Publisher 'IPPY' Awards, May 10, 2006

GOLD Winner Book of the Year in Education category -- ForeWord Magazine Book Awards, May 19, 2006

While not imperceptible, the tics rate low when ticking off Cohen's impressionable qualities. Put simply, they just don't matter. -- Marietta Daily Journal, Sept. 13, 2005

[Cohen's] goal in writing the book was to educate [and to serve] as an inspiration for people with disabilities. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sept. 11, 2005

About the Author

BRAD COHEN is a motivational speaker, teacher and author, and the recipient of Georgia's First Class Teacher of the Year award. He founded a camp for children with Tourette's, and has appeared on Oprah. In 2006, Front of the Class won the Independent Publisher's Education Book of the Year Award. Brad's life is the subject of a Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie. Find Brad at www.frontoftheclassbook.com. Coauthor LISA WYSOCKY is an author, motivational speaker, and owner of a public-relations firm.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Vanderwyk & Burnham (September 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889242241
• ISBN-13: 978-1889242248
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #767,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Teacher With Tourette Syndrome (TS), June 20, 2006

By 

Jan Peczkis "Scholar and Thinker" (Chicago IL, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had (Hardcover)

I too am a teacher with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and have experienced many of the same things that author Brad Cohen describes in this fascinating book. All of his life, Cohen has worked to overcome his disability. Even when he became ultimately successful, Cohen has still experienced difficulties. For example, even as an adult, he has been asked to leave restaurants and other public events. A few times, however, this has worked to his advantage. While at the Olympics in Atlanta, for example, a number of patrons complained about his tics. But instead of being expelled, Cohen was reseated in a better seating area.

His parents were divorced and, for most of his early life, his father was distant from him. In elementary school and junior high, Cohen was often ridiculed and mocked by other children. Teachers mistakenly thought that he was doing his tics purposely in order to disrupt the class, and punished him accordingly. Many children with TS also have comorbid ADHD and OCD. Cohen described how hard it is to read and comprehend a book. The average person should imagine trying to comprehend a book while it is jerked around every few seconds.

In time, Cohen was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS). He was taken off stimulants, which, in common with many others with TS, only aggravated his condition. His first experience with a TS support group was not at all positive. Members of the group focused on the negative, not how to overcome it and be successful. This is not what Cohen needed to hear. In time, Cohen learned how to educate others about his disorder. Unfortunately, in junior high, there were too many individuals who refused to be educated. However, he did have a supportive principal who allowed him to speak to a school gathering about his condition.

Cohen developed socially by being involved in Jewish organizations. By high school, things got better. The students increasingly overlooked his tics and accepted him as a person. He began to dream of being a teacher.

When Cohen went to Bradley University, he learned not only educational theory but also got valuable hands-on teaching experience with children. But when he tried to get his first teaching job, the door kept getting slammed in his face. Ultimately, he had to go through some 25 principals before he found one that would hire him. "I just cannot see you as a teacher", one candidly remarked. Things seemed hopeless. It looked as if Tourette Syndrome had won over him. But he refused to give up his dream.

Finally, he was hired, and proved himself to be an excellent teacher. He at first taught second grade, and made every child feel wanted. Cohen made the following observation (p. 160) which should be a challenge and inspiration to all teachers: "If you want to feel secure, do what you already know how to do. If you want to be a true professional and continue to grow...go to the cutting edge of your competence, which means a temporary loss of security. So whenever you don't quite know what you're doing, know you're growing."

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Inspirational, August 29, 2005

By 

groupworker (Midwest United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. It's an easy-to-read book that gives you "goose-pimple bumps" from Brad's challenges and accomplishments. Anyone who reads this will be touched by his story. Thank goodness so much more is known about Tourettes now, but 15-20 years ago it was obviously so misunderstood. Brad's modesty and courage are inspiring. This books holds lessons for youth, teachers, parents and so many more.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true story of real courage, June 8, 2006

By 

J. Marren "jtm497" (Glen Ridge, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had (Hardcover)

Brad Cohen's first hand account of how he became a teacher despite having Tourette's syndrome isn't great writing, but if you've ever known someone with Tourette's you know how amazing his story is. Happily most people today know what this disease is--as I was growing up with a brother who had it, no one did. If you haven't seen it, it's hard to imagine the noises, tics, cursing, and mental agony of living with this incurable problem. Cohen's book gives an intimate look at what it feels like to have your body taken over by urges that can't be controlled. He also sensitively portrays the distress and confusion of parents who try to deal with a problem for which modern medicine is almost useless. Again we see a situation where young children in the classroom can accept behaviors that the wider world can't tolerate, and Cohen's openness about his problem with these children is the secret of his success. One gets the sense Cohen's life will always be a struggle--although he has many friends there's no mention of a woman in his life, and gaining acceptance with new people is always going to be a risky business. But his courage is amazing. This book should be required reading for any child who doubts his worth as a person because of this terrible disease.