Front of the Class (2008) - full transcript

My name is Bradley Cohen.

But when l was a kid, people
called me by lots of names.

My brother, Jeff, called me Dr. Bobo.

My mom called me honey.

And the kids at school?

Well, they called me
everything from spaz to freak.

I didn't have many friends actually.

But I did have a constant companion.

I can barely remember a
time, when it wasn't there.

Now sometimes, it wasn't a problem for me.

Other times, it was.



Drop what? Drop books?

Stop it.

Are you scared Brad? What's wrong?

Leave me alone.

Fight! Fight! Fight!

What is going on!

Com'on. Bring it on! Stop.

Stop that fighting right
now! Stop! Get back to class!

Stop that nonsense. You
are in big trouble, mister.

The girl fell in the mud and got dirty.

One thing my Constant Companion and,

I agreed on was that we hated school.

I couldn't wait until I got out.

No more homework, no more books,



no more teachers' dirty looks.

My Companion first
showed up, when I was six

but it was years before it had a name.

Now the shrinks said I was just hyper

I made funny noises and acted,

weird to draw attention to myself.

It was just a phase:

I'd grow out of it and be "normal"...

like everybody else.

Through it all, my constant
companion stuck with me.

Now, to my friends,

I'm just regular, ole Brad.

The guy who likes baseball.
And who loves cheesy 80s music.

Which they think is much
weirder, than the noises I make.

Afternoon, officer. Was I speeding?

Twelve miles over the limit.

St. Louis, huh? You a tourist?

No, I live in Atlanta
now, I just moved here.

I guess I was a little distracted...

Son, you been drinking...?

No. No, sir. I have Tourette Syndrome.

Take it easy, son. I'm
going to need you to sign this.

So. What kind of job you looking for?

Teaching.

I'm going to be a teacher.

I get that look a lot

but I never let it get to me.

I see you've got a B. A.
From Bradley University

that's in Illinois, isn't it?

Yes, ma'am!

Graduated cum laude, high recommendations,

your student teaching evals
are outstanding, excellent.

What made you decide to go into teaching?

It's all I've ever wanted to do.
I feel like I was born to teach.

Why choose Atlanta?

I mean... Missouri's your home.

I'm thinking of becoming
a Braves fan. So, ahh...

Georgia honors my
Illinois teaching certificate.

Plus I fell in love with Atlanta

when I worked down
here as a camp counselor.

I live here now.

So does my Dad and my Stepmom.

Well, it's nice to have family
here to... give you support.

Maybe we should talk about the elephant.

Elephant?

In the room: my Tourette's.

No. The Americans with Disabilities Act

doesn't allow me to ask you...

I know, but I'd like to tell you

just like I tell the kids in my classes.

See, I explain to them
that it's a brain thing

that causes me to make strange noises

they're like sneezes, irrepressible.

When you have to,

you have to.

How do they react?

Once they understand, they're fine with it.

It's never caused any
problems in a classroom.

All I want is a chance.

Just get me the interviews,

and let me prove to
them that I can do the job.

The Americans with Disabilities Act says

I'm entitled to a chance.

Ron!

Hey, how'd it go?

Oh, you know: "Who wants a
teacher that barks like a dog?

You should try another line of work."

Are you serious?

Didn't they look at your resume?

You're kidding.

They're setting up interviews
with some principals.

Fantastic! When?

Oh, I don't know. I've
gotta wait for their calls.

Get changed we gotta go celebrate.

Haven't you got a date?

I'll see if she's got a friend.

It's about time you started
meeting some chicks.

I can't focus on dating right now.

Has anybody ever tell you you're obsessive?

Only every shrink I ever saw.

Well, have fun focusing.

Oh your Dad called again.

Maybe you should call him back, you know?

All right. I'll see you later.

Returning Dad's call?

I'd have to prepare for that.

See, Mom and Dad had divorced
when I was a little kid and my relationship

with Dad had always been

umm, let's just say complicated?

I mean, I wore out his patience
like nails on a chalkboard.

It didn't help that my brother
Jeff was also a little hyper.

Dad said he's waiting to get
back to his home in Atlanta,

he's waiting to say goodbye

Goodbye!

You're gonna make him mad!

Come on I'll race you!

Against The Green
Dragon? You gotta be kidding

Sucker!

Cheater!

Short cut!

You got a bike.

See you, Jeff.

Hey! That's not fair!

Aw, com'on!

Jeff!

You're not going to beat me!

See, I'm gonna win.

That's not fair! You got a bike!

Oh, no you're not! Oh, no! You are!

Hey guys! quiet down, you guys, quiet down.

We do have neighbors you know. Come here.

See, I did beat you.

Yeah. Calm down. Brad, com'ere.

Com'on honey, focus, would you?

Com'ere. Come here! Stand here.

Listen. Listen up.
Focus, please. All right?

I need you guys to do me a favor.

I want you both to make life a
little easier for your mom, okay?

You are driving her nuts.

Guys, listen! Hey, hey. Stop it! Brad!

Help her out around the house

but most of all let us stop
the obnoxious behavior, OK?

Hey, listen. I mean it!

OK? Quit the clowning.

Your brother may think
its funny, but I don't.

I can't help it.

Yes, you can.

There's nothing wrong with you
that a little self-control wouldn't fix.

Now, stop it.

Norman? Yeah!

They're not going to
hold that plane for you.

Okay, all right. Gimme a hug.

See you, Dad!

Bye-bye, J-man

I love you, Dad.

Love you too, kiddo.

Hey, listen up we'll stay
at my house next time. OK?

OK! I'll get tickets to a Braves' game.

And Brad, remember what we talked about:

Selfcontrol. All right?

Need any help with anything, Mom? Well...

now that you mention it...

It's a new doctor let's just
listen to what he has to say.

I know what he'll have to say.

Do you feel any anger toward your
mother, because of the divorce, Brad?

No. No.

Do you resent your father because
he doesn't live with you anymore?

No.

Do you blame yourself
for the divorce, Brad?

It happened when I was a little
kid, I don't even remember it.

Mrs. Chen, Brad has some serious
denial issues regarding the divorce.

What he needs at home
are some clear boundaries.

He needs to understand that this
behavior is totally unacceptable.

And that, Mrs. Cohen, is your job.

The hardest part was knowing
how tough I made things for Mom.

I tried as best as I could for her.

Make sure he keeps
taking his medication, OK?

And for Dad?

Strike three!

I played sports.

On the ball field, I fit right in.

I mean, everybody makes

funny noises and has
strange tics at a baseball game.

Go, Bobo!

Come on, Brad!

Thank you very much.

All right. What can l get you?

Hey, guys. I got something
pretty exciting to tell you.

Honey, don't eat so fast.
You're gonna get the hiccups.

He's always got the hiccups.

You're a hiccup!

Listen, hey! Would you just relax?

Mom says you're not taking your meds.

How are you ever... how are
you ever going to calm down

if you don't do what the
doctor tells you to do?

Pills just make it worse.

Oh I see. So you're a doctor now, too?

He's Dr. Bobo.

Shut up!

All right, guys, let's eat, guys.

I have a very important
announcement to make.

Guys? Guys! All right. That's it.
We're going back to the car. Come on.

I'm still hungry

You know what would be nice?
One day without you acting up.

One.

Wait up, Dad.

So, what's the announcement, Dad?

I've been seeing someone.

What do you mean seeing somebody?

Her name is Diane, and she...

Brad, please! Stop doing that!

I can't.

I mean, nothings' happened yet, but...

how would you guys feel
about having a stepmom?

No way!

We've already got a Mom!

Well. Now you're gonna have two.

I talked to your mom about it
and she's fine with it. She said...

I said STOP It! STOP It!

See, I really couldn't
blame Dad for losing it.

My tics drove him nuts.

Because, like my teachers,

he had no name for my strange behavior.

Except "insufferable".

Now, somehow I don't know
how, I made okay grades.

But, what would take a
normal person an hour,

took me two.

Or three. I mean, I loved learning,

but I hated, hated reading.

Trying to concentrate brought out
the worst in my Constant Companion.

As difficult as this may be for you,

Mrs. Cohen, I assure you,

the teachers are at their wits end.

I understand that, of course...

Sharon, would you hold all my calls?

But all we...

Now, this has got to be the last
chance. The very last chance.

Brad, look, I sent for your mother

because things have just
gotten out of control here.

Now, she's going to take you home today.

You can come back...

Can't help it.

Sorry, what did you say?

He said he can't help it.

Right.

What if he's telling the truth?

You've got a bright boy, Mrs. Cohen,

but making excuses for him...

Making excuses is not going to help.

Now, he needs to use
this time to ask himself...

Brad! Com'on. Let's go.

This question: "Why
am I sabotaging myself?"

I don't care if they expel
me. I hate that school.

Well, it's that school or another school.

I hate all schools. Why are we going here?

To find some answers.

I can't go in the library

they'll throw me out. Please, Mom.

All right, com'ere. Sit over here.

Well, maybe we're just
going down the wrong track.

Who?

All of us.

Get off me!

Wet Willie!

Oh no, wet Willie!

I know you're busy, Norman,

I won't take up much of your time

but I really think you should hear this

Boys, keep it down, I'm
trying to talk to your Dad!

I wanna talk to him!

In a minute! Keep it down!

Listen. You know, those
teachers and that doctor,

to them it's all about bad
parenting which, of course,

comes down to me because
I'm the only one who here

No. I'm not blaming you, Norman.

In fact, I'm going to stop blaming myself.

I was talking to a friend

and she think the doctors
are missing something.

I got this stack of medical
books from the library.

Mom, watch out! And,
I've been doing a little...

research...

Stop saying he just needs
more discipline, Norman!

Nothing I do helps

He is out of control and
I'm at the end of my rope

Can I talk to Dad?

Can you just wait a minute, honey?

MOM!

All right. But give him back
to me when you're done.

What is it, Jeffrey?

Hey, Dad.

Yeah, it was a great game

I got two base hits and a walk.

Sorry I cause you so much trouble, Mom.

I want you to read
something in this book I found.

It's a medical book that

might explain why you
make all those noises.

I hate reading, Mom

Read.

"Tourette Syndrome."

That, that's Brad, isn't it?

The noises and the twitches...

I'll still need to do more tests
but, umm, you could be right.

We may have been headed
down the wrong road, here.

I've never actually seen a
case of Tourette's before.

So at last my Constant
Companion had a name...

This says there's no cure.

But that may have
changed. This is an old book

That hasn't changed,
Mrs. Cohen. I'm very sorry.

Yeah, but they're still
looking for a cure, right?

I mean, they will find one, won't they?

They they... have to find...

It's OK, Mom. We'll
get through this, all right.

Oh, come here.

SEE? There's a reason, Dad.

Joop, joop, I'm not being weird on purpose.

Listen, uh, Brad. l, um...

All right. Well, it's all
I wanted to say. Bye.

Finally, my dad believed me.
But he never believed in me.

That I would succeed. That I could teach.

Hello, this is Brad.

A dog? Ahh, yes. Yes, ma'am, that's my dog.

Ahh, OK. Yes. Yes, I can be there 11am.

My very first interview...

Great. That sounds great. OK. Thank you.

I tried not to over-react.
I help in my tics.

YES! Waffle, yes!

After that first call, I got two more:

three interviews with three principals.

Needless to say,

my Constant Companion was
more than a little enthusiastic.

Well, I see you only
your bachelor's degree.

Are you planning to get your Master's?

Yes, sir. JOOP! As soon as I can.

Well, we don't require
it for entry level...

-but if you're serious
about...-I'm very serious.

I want to make teaching my life.

I, ahh, I make these noises
because I have Tourette Syndrome.

I'd like to tell you about it.

It's a Neurological disorder where my brain

sends mixed signals to my body.

It's like a sneeze. It's irrepressible.

A couple of weeks,
and I'll give you a call.

OK! OK. Thank you very much.

Thanks. Take care.

Well. Strike one.

But, like Mom always
said, don't ever give up.

When I was little, Mom never
stopped researching because,

while there was no cure,

there might be ways to live a normal life.

It's a church, Mom!

Honey, you're not going to
have to get a Bible lesson.

This is just a support group.

Do I have to?

You need to connect with
other people who have Tourette's.

Find out how they live with it. OK?

Let's do it.

I'm not going in there

Honey...

I'd never seen anyone
with Tourette's before.

There were eye blinkers and nose twitchers.

Foot stompers and neck jerkers.
Some of them yelped and coughed.

Is this what I looked like to other people?

Come on, Bobo.

We're here to learn. Let's start learning.

The Americans with
Disabilities Act gives us

the right to do anything or
go anyplace that we want to.

But try going to a movie.

Or a concert or a restaurant.

That law doesn't mean anything

when people are yelling at you to shut up.

I come home and my parents
close the windows and blinds

because they don't want
the neighbors to see me tic.

No one was even trying to be accepted.

The audits were out of work.
The kids stayed at home.

I knew one thing...

I didn't want to be like them.

It's supposed to be a support
group! Where's the support?

Supposed to just hide
away for the rest of your life?

I'm really so sorry that I brought
you there, honey, let's just forget this

I don't want to forget this, Mom.

Those people let Tourette's win.

I'm never gonna do that.

It's difficult to imagine
that at the age of twelve

I would find a genuine
philosophy to live by.

But here it was. This defining moment.

To always face my adversity head on.

When I went to my next interview,
I decided to be even more up front.

Get the Tourette's
stuff out of the way first

and then dazzle 'em with
my approach to teaching.

You seem to have been very successful

in spite of your Tourette's.

I've worked very hard to
become the best teacher I can be

Thank you for coming in. I'll let you know.

Thanks.

So much for being up front.

For my third interview,

I decided to discussing
about my Tourette's at all.

Each week I like to send home a
progress report to my students' parents.

Um, I like to give my students a
voice in their learning to be hands-on...

and interactive in the classroom...

but also to keep the
parents closely involved!

Ron, it was a huge mistake
not mentioning my Tourette's.

It was, you know, I was trying to hide it

Fat chance.

Okay, that's the negative

No. The negative is you've
gotta stop stressing out.

You're stressing me out.

But the positive is that, hey,

the others didn't seem to
have a problem with it, right?

I just, I gotta wait for a call.

The positive is you're coming out with me.

My new girlfriend she has a roommate

Will you stop trying to set me up?

When I am ready to date, I will date.

Come on, she heard all about you

she still wants to meet you.

Oh thanks. Real kind.
Listen, I want to relax. OK?

I want to watch the Braves.

We all want to watch
the Braves. Get changed.

So, Ron tells me that
you're on a big job hunt.

How's it going?

Ahh, pretty good.

Except no one's hired me yet.

I guess they're all too
busy fighting to get me.

You do this?

I'm impressed by this.

-You should be. -I was not expecting this.

That's amazing.

But I'm pretty good.

You are.

So you are really a sports fan?

Ah, yes. Big time.
Soccer, softball... tennis.

Yep, I played a lot in college,

but I'm not good enough for the pros.

I hear that because I wish I
was good enough to be him.

Who?

Him.

Oh, you want to be a mascot?

-His name is Homer...-Homer.

And it's a lifelong ambition.

OK. All right.

-Don't look now. -OK.

Don't look now, but
there's this guy behind us

and I don't know what his
problem is. He keeps staring.

Ahh. I actually get that look a lot.

It's a look of envy.

He's thinking, "How can l
make cool noises like that guy?"

You have such a great
attitude about your...

This is Brad. Ahh, hey, Dad.

Yeah, no, Ron, Ron told me you called.

I just, ahh, you know,
I've been so busy that, ah...

No. I haven't had lunch yet.

All right, that sounds great.
Where do you want to meet?

Lunch at Dad's work.

He wouldn't have to worry
about my noises there.

Let me know if you need any
more of those trusses, OK?

All right.

Hey.

Hey, Dad. See you found your way.

Yeah.

Let's grab lunch outside my office.

Be a little more private.

All right.

Diane's wondering when
you're gonna come by.

I guess you've been pretty
busy with the job hunt. Any luck?

Still interviewing.

How's that going?

Are they giving you any
trouble with your, uh...?

You can say the word, Dad: Tourette's.

Some of them are. Some of them aren't.

How's your money holding out?

I'm not asking you for money.

I know that. You never ask me for anything.

No.

But if you ever do get short, you
know you gotta job with me here.

I'm going to teach, Dad.

OK?

I can't let anything
get in the way of that.

OK. I'm jut saying there's nothing wrong...

with keeping your options
open in case things don't work out.

You know, there are other
things besides teaching.

Not for me.

Dad could never understand my optimism.

Like when I graduated to middle school.

I was really hopeful that
things would be different.

What's the matter Brad? Eat alone?

Make a fresh start.
New school. New friends.

Same result.

Today, we're going to
be talking about fractions.

Fractions are your friend...

Use fractionsin every day life.

You just don't realize it.

For example, say your mother bakes a pie.

She cuts that pie.

Cohen! Just go to the principal's office.

Not the best way to introduce
myself to the principal.

What do you think a school's for, Brad?

I'm sorry I keep disrupting the class

You're not answering my
question. What's a school for?

To educate, isn't it?

To use knowledge to wipe out ignorance?

The school orchestra's
having a concert this afternoon.

You planning on going?

No, sir. My tics will ruin the music.

I want you to be there.

Everybody just keep your
seats for a minute, please.

Thank you. Did you enjoy the concert?

Great job.

Did you hear any noises
during the quiet parts?

YES!

Yeah. So did l.

They're pretty annoying, aren't they?

The person making those
noises is Brad Cohen.

Come on up here, Brad.

Do you like making noises
and upsetting people, Brad?

No, sir.

Then why do you do it?

Because I have Tourette Syndrome.

What's that?

It's a thing in my brain that
causes me to make weird noises.

But you could control it
if you wanted to, right?

No, sir. It's a sickness.

Well, why can't you just get cured?

There isn't any cure.

I don't like making noises any
more than you like hearing them.

They're even worse when I get stressed,

when you don't accept
that I can't stop them.

But when I feel accepted,
then they're not so bad.

What can we do

and I mean everyone in this school

What can we do to help you, Brad?

I just want to be treated
like everybody else.

Good job. Go sit down.

A few words a little education

and it was like opening a
door to a brand new world.

Now some day, some way, I knew,

Tourette's or no Tourette's,

I was going to be a teacher.

I had no choice but to
prove that Tourette's would

never get the best of me.

If I quit, I would be
agreeing with everyone

who ever told me I was
barking up the wrong tree.

Sorry about the air conditioning.
Supposed to already be fixed by now.

That's all right.

Well, umm, your resume looks okay.

And we do have an opening in fifth grade.

OK.

But I do have to tell you:
this is a tough place to work.

We've got some really hard cases.

Well, I take that as a challenge.

I don't believe that any kid is hopeless.

You know, they all want to
learn you can't ever give up.

Let me just...

You just gotta find the
right way to teach them.

Ahh, you got something
stuck in your throat?

Would you like a drink?

I have Tourette Syndrome.
I'd like to tell you about it.

It's a neurological... Tourette's?

Isn't that where you yell out obscenities?

That's coprolalia, It's,
ahh, it's a rare symptom

that a small percentage of
people with Tourette's have.

-I don't have that. -OK, listen.

They did not tell me that you
were going to be handicapped.

How do you expect to
handle a bunch of wild students

with a handicap like that?

Well. By educating them.

By letting them know
it's okay to talk about it.

-It's okay to ask questions...-These
students would laugh at you.

Not... not when they understand

-it's simply a matter of
OK. I have seen teachers

with disabilities before...

but never with what you've got.

I just don't see how you
could ever teach a class.

I can teach! Look at my resume.

Look at it! Ok?

I was very successful as a student teacher

my Tourette's never posed a problem!

I can teach!

OK. Bottom line: I need
somebody now for fifth grade.

You want to teach here,

you're gonna have to refrain
from making these noises in class.

You know what? Thank you
very much for the interview.

But, don't you want the job?

Yes, actually. I want it really bad.

But I would never, ever work for a
man who doesn't care about his students.

So, I'll take my portfolio and, ahh,

and take no more of your time.

You got a great boss.

Well, it was the worst
interview I've ever had.

All he could see when he
looked at me was my Tourette's.

That's all any of them see.

Well, honey, if they can't see
what a great teacher you'd be

that is their failure, not yours.

Well, it sure seems like my failure.

Well, if you say so. You know what?

Why don't you just throw in
the towel and come home, huh?

I'll buy you a ticket.

I'm not saying that

Really? That sounds
like what you're saying.

It sounds like you're
letting Tourette's win.

I am not letting Tourette's win!

-Really? -Yes, really!

Look, I'm never going to give up, I just...

I have to find the right school.

You will, Bobo. You will.

So, I decided it wasn't Tourette's.

I just hadn't found the right school yet.

I'd keep barking, and I wasn't
quitting until I found that principal.

I made a map of every school

where I hadn't interviewed.

If the Principal wasn't in, I'd give
my resume to a secretary or a janitor,

and ask them to drop it off
when the principal returned.

I didn't care. I needed a job.

I wasn't going to stop until I had one.

You'll be starting at the bottom,

but that's no big deal,
that's where I started.

And you're working 7 to 4.

I told you this is only part time.

I need to keep mornings
open for interviews.

I thought that school had already started.

No, not all of them.

Well, we'll see what happens.

Here are your tools of the
trade at least for the time being.

Like I said, at the bottom.

But every job is important
here, and who knows

maybe you'll end up liking it.
And if you put your time in...

Didn't you hear what I just said?

I'm only working here
until I get a teaching job

All that stuff has to go in the dumpster.

The hiring season was ending.

My interviews had dried
up. School had started.

I was running out of time
and money... and hope.

Diane.

I gave up on you ever coming
to me, so I just came to you.

You busy?

It was my stepmom, Diane.
Trying to build bridges with bagels.

Your Dad built his business
with his own two hands

you can't blame him for
wanting you to be a part of it.

He's just being a dad.

He wants you in his life.

So how do you like Atlanta?
You meet any nice girls?

I'm just saying all the right things, huh?

Let me get you a refill

Brad. Brad,

your dad loves you...

so much.

He just doesn't want to see you get hurt

The only thing that hurts is the fact
that he has never accepted who I am.

See, he's got this idea of a perfect son,

who is "normal" and does "normal" things.

Well, I'm never gonna be "normal"

Well, maybe that's not his idea, Brad.

Maybe that's yours. And
you're right, you are not normal.

You have this gift to teach,

and it's not in spite of your Tourette's,

it's because of it.

I have to go.

Hello, this is Brad.

Ahh, yes.

That's a sheepdog.

Yep, Brad. Brad Cohen.

Ten o'clock is is perfect for me.

Absolutely. OK, great.

Raise your hand. Raise your hand!

You gotta raise your hand! Come on.

You must be Brad Cohen.

Hi.

I'm Jim Ovbey I'm the
Principal around here. And...

Hilarie Straka, Assistant Principal.

Hi.

Come on in the office, Brad.

We heard you coming all
the way from the parking lot.

Hear you've been making the rounds.

Twenty-five schools so far.
And, uh, here's, here's my resume.

Oh. Here. Oh.

We can look at that in a minute, Brad.

Just come on in, tell us
why you want to be a teacher.

OK.

Well, it's, uh, oh, it's,
it's all I ever wanted to be.

Ever since I was in school.

You must have had some
pretty inspiring teachers.

Ah, well. I had an
inspiring principal Mr. Myer

but my teachers, they really only

inspired me to be the kind
of teachers they never were.

What kind of teacher is that?

One who makes it possible for a
kid to learn even if he's different.

In a way, the, the best teacher
I ever had was my Tourette's.

You, you don't have
to talk about that, Brad.

No, it's OK. I make a
point of being open about it.

It's, ah, never off-limits to my students.

They can ask me anything
they want about it at any time.

You must get some
pretty interesting questions.

Oh, yeah. Sometimes
it gets really personal.

I hope this question
isn't too personal, Brad.

Do you make those noises in your sleep?

I don't know. I'm asleep.

No. No, I don't tic in my sleep.

When I'm relaxed, the noises give
me a little bit of a break. Like just now.

Okay Brad. I want to hear more
about your teaching philosophy...

Yeah. I'd love to tell you
about my teaching philosophy.

We talked for nearly two hours,

it was the best interview I'd ever had

Well, Brad, it was a pleasure to meet you.

You, too. You, too.

We've still got a few
more teachers to interview.

But we'll let you know
when we've made a decision.

Ok, great.

Thank you. Thank you...

Still, my Constant Companion, as always,

warned me not to get my hopes up.

But hope is a hard habit to break.

I was called one last
time to and asked come in

and meet with the second grade staff.

Oh, so, you student-taught second grade?

Oh, I love second grade! The
kids are still so open-minded.

They're open to everything.

Yes, but you do manage to
maintain a little discipline, right?

While they're being so open?

I do let them know what
the boundaries are. Yes.

So, Brad. What do you think is the
most important thing you have to teach?

Yeah. Ah, well. Besides the importance
of reading and the value of math...

that it's okay to be yourself.

It's okay to color outside the lines

if that's who you are.

So it's okay to ignore the boundaries?

No, and I didn't...

I'm sorry but how can
you expect kids to learn

when you're doing that all the time?

Oh. Come on, Brenda

No, no, no. It's OK. It's a valid question.

I want to answer it.

Before they know me,

kids sometimes do think
I'm just weird, even scary.

But, once I educate
them about my Tourette's

and they see that
Mr. Cohen is a real person

who just happens to make funny noises,

well, then they accept
me as a good teacher.

Just like they accept all of you.

Well, maybe we should all try
to be more like second-graders.

Does anyone have any
other questions for Mr. Cohen?

Brad thanks for coming in.

The school will be in touch
with you, so just be patient.

It's hard to be patient

when you feel as though
you've blown your last chance.

And patience never was my
Constant Companion's strong suit

I'm guessing you never
heard from that school.

No, not yet. They're still interviewing.

I'm not worried.

Okay.

Is that supposed to mean?

I just said "okay".

I know what you mean

you don't think anybody would
hire me if they had a choice.

What are you, a mind-reader now?

You know what, Dad? This
is gonna be my last day here?

Well, why don't you wait
and see if you got the job first?

I'm gonna get the job, Dad.

I just have to stay focused.

Why can't you stay focused
and realistic at the same time?

What's wrong with that?

Here.

My kid brother... not
exactly what I had in mind.

-How are you doing, Bobo? -Jeff,

what, what are you doing here?

Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

You know you're in your boxers, right?

Did, ah, Mom send you to check up on me?

Why? You need checking up on?

No, but...

Where do I put my stuff?

That's great. You get the couch.

Whoa! Nice clubs, are these new?

Ah. They're Dad's, he let me borrow them.

Thought maybe you and I
could, ah, play a little golf.

He got us a tee-time at his club.

So, what do you think?
Three iron from here, little bro?

Hey, by the way, thanks for the round.

Thank Dad. Oh, wait, forgot...

you guys aren't speaking.

I don't want to talk about Dad right now.

You're just saying that to
rattle me because you know

I'm going to beat you.

I'm serious, Brad, you and
Dad gotta start getting along.

We get along fine

as long as we keep it long distance.

Is that why you moved down here?

To keep it long distance?

I mean, it's not like you have
anything to prove to him right?

What are you now, Jeff,
a shrink? Dr. Jeff, huh?

I'm sorry, sir?

I'm going to have to ask you
to stop making those noises.

Look, pal.

He's not doing it on purpose, he's got

No, no, no. I can handle it, Jeff.

I got it.

Look, it's just not fair
to the other golfers.

No, I understand, that, umm, I
can't help making these noises

because I have Tourette Syndrome.

It's a neurological disorder
I'd like to tell you about it.

You're gonna have to leave the course.

I gotta think of the other members.

Hey, Joe. Leave the guy alone. He's fine.

Hey, man. We're a twosome and our
buddies don't appear to be showing.

Would you like to join us?

If you don't leave, I'm
going to have to call security.

OK, OK. Umm...

OK. Thanks, guys.
Maybe next year, all right?

Jeff, come on. Come on, buddy. Thanks.

Jeff's visit did give me
a break from my worries.

And, right after he left, I
got a call from the school.

The principal wanted
to see me in his office.

Just like old times.

Pretty noisy, huh?

And yet somehow the
kids manage, don't they?

Yes, they do. They do.

Hilarie and I discussed
you with the teachers.

And, we talked about how
proud we are of teaching our kids

to never let anything
hold them back in life.

And, Hilarie said that if
we're gonna talk the talk,

we need to walk the walk.

She's waiting to show you your classroom.

Welcome.

Second grade is overcrowded so
we've had to create a new class.

Your kids are being
taken out of other rooms

so some of them might be a little confused.

They've already been
in school for three weeks.

There's your student roster.

The fun starts Monday, Brad.

Let me know if there's anything you need.

I need everything.

I looked down at that
roster like I was announcing

the starting line-up for
an all star baseball game.

Hilarie, this is, thank you...

Hey! We thought you might need these.

Hey, everybody, bring them in.

Just put them down anywhere.
We'll get them arranged.

Here, let me help you with that. Thank you!

Welcome to Mountain View.

Yeah, Mom, it's phenomenal, but, you know,

it's taken me so long to get
here I still have to remind myself

that I'm just at the beginning.

Honey, that is, that is
wonderful news! That's wonderful.

Yes, yes, Mom.

It is absolutely wonderful, but, you know,

they've only given me a
contract for a year. OK?

I still have to prove to them
that they made the right choice

Honey, listen, just take
a moment to enjoy this.

Oh my gosh. Oh my...

Did you call your father? He
is gonna be so proud of you.

I will, Mom. But, you know, right now,

I literally have about two weeks of
preparation to do in about two days.

And, ah, you know, now that I have the job,

I gotta really seriously start working
on getting my Master's degree.

OK, one thing at a time, all right?

Listen. Are there any cute
teachers at that school?

Mom!

What? I want you to be happy.

OK, all right, yes.

Don't worry I'm working on
that, too. I gotta go. Goodbye.

You must be Brad...

You must be Nancy.

Hi, I'm Brad.

I know.

Right. Of course. I
guess I'm a little nervous.

Please.

This is my first time computer dating.

-So...-Oh, yeah.

Me too. My mom thinks it's dangerous.

Well, yeah, I mean, you never know
what kind of weirdo you might meet.

But you look pretty normal. So...

Good, I'm glad.

Actually, look much better than normal.

Thank you.

So, ahh, I guess we're just supposed
to tell each other our life stories.

Umm, OK. Do, do...

you think I could get a,
get a cup of coffee first?

-Cup of coffee. -Yeah.

Right. Yeah! Of course. Coming up.

Thanks.

Ah. Do you want, like, a muffin?

I'm on a diet.

But I would love a muffin.

My roommate is driving me absolutely crazy.

She never makes her bed

she's got clothes everywhere

she's, like, always blasting her music...

night and day. But, of course,
whenever I want to listen to my music,

she's all, like, "you
need to keep it down".

So what kind of music do you listen to?

-Well, umm, -Yeah?

Mostly oldies stuff. Especially Sting

Oh, I love Sting!

Madonna, Bon Jovi, you know

Milli Vanilli...?

I love Milli Vanilli!

Really?

Wait. You too?

We've gotta be the only two people on earth

that love Milli Vanilli.

You do not.

Yeah!

Well, I had a really nice time. Thank you.

I shouldn't have had that muffin but...

I really enjoyed meeting you.

Yeah, me too.

OK. Well, thanks again, Brad.

I can't believe you!
You said she was perfect

[80?s Music Playing]

[80?s Music Still Playing ON & ON]

Come on in. Get in there. Come on in.

Weirdo!

Did your teachers warn you that

Mr. Cohen makes funny noises?

Yeeesss.

She said you have Tour... tour...

Tourette Syndrome.

OK. Anything you want to
know about it, I want you to ask.

Yes.

Is it catching...?

No. Absolutely not.

You have to be born with it, like I was.

Does it hurt?

Well, sometimes, like when my neck jerks.

But the noises do not hurt at all.

These are great questions, keep 'em coming.

And, it's okay to ask me
anything about Tourette's

yes?

Can you go to movies?

Yes, I can go to movies,

but sometimes I get kicked
out and that makes me sad.

What's the bunny's name?

Waffle

Wa Wa Waffle!

His name is just Waffle!

All right, guys.

Any more questions about Tourette's?

Anyone?

Are they ever gonna
make you well, Mr. Cohen?

Well. Right now there's no
medicine that can cure Tourette's.

But, it's okay.

Cuz I've learned to accept it

and I don't let it run my life.

What can't you do? Like... can you not eat?

I can eat. OK, I eat a lot.

In fact, I can do anything
anybody else can do except

there is one thing that
Mr. Cohen can never do.

What?

What is it?

Tell us

Mr. Cohen can never play

hide and go seek.

Why can't you play hide and seek?

Cause they'd hear him, stupid.

Well, that's the right answer
but it's the wrong words

because there won't be any
namecalling in Mr. Cohen's class,

Excuse me? Where are you going?

Bathroom.

And what's your name?

Thomas.

OK. Well, Thomas, if you
want to leave your seat,

you have to ask for permission.

Weirdo.

Bye, Mr. Cohen.

Bye, Gaylon.

Good bye, Mr. Cohen.

Bye Heather, I'll see you tomorrow.

I really like your class, Mr. Cohen!

Oh, well, thank you, Amanda!
How are you doing Mr. Wright?

I'm fine.

Four eyes!

Four eyes!

Gimme gum! Leave me alone!

OK, take him, Thomas.

Eli! Thomas! Which one of you guys
thinks that you can help me? Huh?

I can, I can!

All right, all right. Here's the deal.

I need to get this ball
and put it back in that bin.

Why don't you guys shoot for it?

Rock, paper, scissor, shoot!

Whoa! All right, Eli. You win today. Boom!

Ah, man!

It's OK, Thomas, you can help him.

Sorry I stuck you with Thomas,

but he was making my class impossible.

He's got a whole alphabet of problems:

ADD, ADHD, OCD.

You want my advice, you'll
pass him on to Special Ed.

No.

I can't, ah, I can't do that.

Oh. See how you feel after
he's trashed a few classes.

I'll be all right. I just
need to get settled.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

OK.

You make more noise than my air horn.

Sounds like you got
healthy case of Tourette's.

I was just kidding with you, son.
I've got a dispatcher buddy with TS.

You ever need any cross-country
hauling, just call for Maxine.

Hey, umm. Do you have a card?

I wasn't being serious, son.

Unless you're in the shipping business.

Nah, I teach second grade.

-Here's the card. -All right.

Maxine gave me a great
idea for a geography lesson.

Thank you so much, Maxine.

You're welcome.

Safe trucking.

I found myself focusing
on teaching all the time.

Well, almost...

You know what I just realized?

What?

All ducks have Tourette's.

Why is that?

I don't know. We're birds of a feather.

So, it really doesn't bother you, does it?

What?

You know what.

My Tourette's... my noises.

Not when I compare them to
the noises other guys make.

You know, like, braggers, loud-talkers,

egocentric, humor-challenged idiots.

Seriously, no. Your noises
don't bother me at all.

As long as you keep me laughing.

Well, don't say that. You
know how I get under pressure.

Oh, I'm sorry.

My Dad has always said I was going
to marry somebody who made me laugh.

Not that that has anything
to do with anything.

Say something.

Quack.

Hey. Don't laugh. That was a serious quack.

I got you though.

Mr. Cohen!

Hey!

My Mom said to ask if it's okay.

Is what okay, Heather?

If I give this to Waffle.

You tell your Mom that
I said that's fine. OK?

Did he say it was OK?

Yeah.

Feel OK?

Um-Hmm.

Yeah? I love you.

I love you, too.

You have a good day, OK?

OK!

I'll see you right after school.

OK. Bye-bye.

Amanda? Is everything all right?

I wanna be in your class, Mr. Cohen.

You are in my class, Amanda.

No. He made them take me out

See you after school, honey. OK?

It's not fair!

Is everything OK? I'm
Amanda's teacher, Mr. Cohen.

-We met yesterday. Oh, no, no, no.

There's nothing wrong.

I just have to do what's
right for my daughter.

Come on, Amanda.

Come on.

He's concerned about
Amanda's ability to concentrate.

He just thought that you'd
make it a little harder for her.

Can't he just give me a chance?

We've only just started.

I pointed that out.

And?

He said he was sympathetic

but that Amanda needs as
he put it a "normal teacher."

Don't take it to heart, Brad.

Parents are the hardest part of the job.

All right, who can tell me the
names of the capitals Maxine

and her big red truck have
passed through? Anybody?

Oh, all these hands! Excuse me. Excuse me.

Ah, man. Who do I choose?

I don't know.

Heather.

Atlanta... Nashville... um... Springfield?

That's great! Because a lot
of people think it's Chicago.

And, ah, this is Springfield, right?

Noooo.

That's Indianapolis.

Oh, that's right!

So, what am I thinking?
This is Springfield.

NO!

That's Columbus! Springfield's
over there, Mr. Cohen.

Where is it, Eli? Is it over here?

Nooo!

Where is Springfield?

I don't know. You guys
have to point it out to me.

Point it out. Point it out.

I don't see it there.

Ahh! I see it!

You're telling me that
this is Springfield. Right?

YES!

You don't have permission
to leave your seat, Thomas.

That's right. Mr. Cohen has
eyes in the back of his head.

Go back and sit down,
please. And next time, ask.

But I need to sharpen my pencil.

Now, Thomas.

All right, now.

Where's Maxine and her bug
red truck going to be on Tuesday?

See you bright early tomorrow, David.

All right. Hey. Remember to walk.

I really like your hat, Mr. Cohen.

Well, thank you, Heather. I like your hair.

It's just short 'cause of the medicine.

Bye.

Hey, honey!

Hi, Mom.

Can you wait right here for just a minute?

-Sure. -OK.

Hey, umm. I've been meaning to
come and speak to you about Heather.

I think I know...

Yeah, umm. We were just
reluctant to tell anybody at first.

Of course it was only a matter of time
before the chemo became obvious, so...

Is she, ah, going to be okay...?

Umm. Heather just loves your class.

She can't wait to get to school every day.

And, umm, I'd be grateful if
you kept our secret a little longer.

I just don't want her to be singled out.

Yeah.

Thanks. All right, baby girl. Let's go.

Bye!

How about... an ice cream?

Yeah!

OK.

Uh-oh. What do you
think? What do you think?

I already have that one.

Looks great on you, though.

Hey, what's wrong?

Oh, nothing, I'm just
focusing on school stuff.

Can you focus on me for a minute?

Sorry.

Hey, hey, hey! Try this one on!

It'll make you feel better.

-Yeah. -OK. Yes.

-Yeah? -Yes!

-Really? -Oh my goodness, this suits you.

More than you know.

I've, ah, decided it's time to
go for my master's degree.

Wow.

Wow, does that, does that
mean you'll be going away?

No. I'd go locally.

Anyhow, I have to pass the entrance
test to graduate school first, so...

Oh, wait. Isn't that like the SATs?

Do you have to take that in a
big room with a lot of people?

Yeah. They said I could
have a room all to myself.

Ah, good.

Tourette's does have its privileges.

Would it bother you if I did go away...?

Of course it would. Are you kidding me?

Get out of here.

Come here, I want to show you something.
- Crazy.

Next!

Hey, ah, chchchch, Brad Cohen.

Brad Cohen.

Here you are, Mr. Cohen.

All right, I need you take this packet,
and I need you to go right in there.

Oh, I'm supposed to have
special accommodations

I don't have any notation of that.

I mean, everybody tests under
the same conditions today.

OK, yeah, but I called and they said

They said

They said that I could
have a, ah, space to myself

You know what? I need you to
talk to the administrator about that.

His office is right over there.

I can't make an exception...

we're not set up that way

They promised and I have the right
to special testing accommodations

Listen, I'm sorry about your disability
but there isn't anything I can do.

If you want to take the test,
you need to go in there now

Look at me! How could
anybody possibly concentrate

if I'm in that room?

Listen, I have to start the exam, now.

Do you need me to call you a doctor...?

Isn't there anyone you can call for help?

Brad, calm down, I can't understand you...

Well, they said you could take it alone?

OK. All right. No
problem. I'll be right there.

Has something happened?

You can take the test. And
you'll have a room to yourself.

What did you say to them?

The magic word: lawsuit.

I've gotta get to work.

Hey, Dad.

Yeah?

Thanks.

Good luck on the test.

As it turned out, I needed more than
just Dad's good luck. I needed time.

With the clock, and my
Tourette's, ticking away.

I failed to get all the
way through the test.

Good job, guys. Thomas
I am so proud of you.

Thank you, Mr. Cohen.

Wow! Look at that turkey, Heather.

Thank you.

So. Are you gonna have a
big Thanksgiving this year?

Uh-huh. Mom says all my
grandparents are gonna come.

Well, that sounds special.

'Cept when they cry.

They try to hide itbut I always see them.

Can I pet Waffle?

You bet you can pet Waffle.

Are you gonna have a good
Thanksgiving, Mr. Cohen?

Yes, I am. Me and Waffle
are going to take a little trip

to see my Mom in St. Louis.

I know where that is!

Well, that is super, Heather.

That's exactly where it is.

Now, do me a favor, will you?

And I'm going to trust you to take
good care of my friend Waffle. All right?

Sure.

And I will be right back.

Hi, Amanda. Shouldn't
you ja be in your class?

All right. Come on, I'll
walk you to your room.

Why can't I be in your class, Mr. Cohen?

Well, ah. Your father had to do
what was best for you, Amanda.

And you know what?
You've got a great teacher.

OK... See you later, Mr. Cohen.

Busted.

Where did you learn those words, Thomas?

You know you're not supposed
to leave the class without asking.

Well, you're going to clean that up.

And then, ah, you're
on detention: no recess.

But you do get an "A" for spelling.

You can't read it if you
don't open it, Thomas.

I hate reading.

So do l.

You do?

Yeah. Reading's really hard for me.

It's not hard for you. You're a teacher.

You wanna bet? Let's play a game.

You be Mr. Cohen trying to read

And I'll be Tourette Syndrome. OK?

Read this page.

"Once upon a time"

Keep reading.

"upon a time, there was a" That itches.

Does it itch a little bit?
All right. Keep reading.

"there was a..."

Hey, Thomas!

All right. That's hard, isn't it?

It's hard to concentrate.

That's how hard reading is for me.

It's not that hard for you, is it?

No. It's easy for me.

But... how can you be a
teacher if you hate books?

Hate books? I don't hate books.

Everything in the world is in books.

I just have to work
extra hard to get it out.

I'm not going to give up on you, buddy. OK?

And I'm not going to let
you give up on yourself.

Now keep reading. Right here.

"Once upon a time there was a"

Mag-magi...

Magician.

"A magician who met a small boy.

A small boy who was trying to
pull a big sword out of a big rock.

Weird.

Why would a sword be in a rock?

Well, I don't know, but if you, ah,
keep reading, you might just find out.

"The magician told the small boy that

whoever could pull the sword out of

the rock would be the true king."

Cool.

Keep going. What happens next?

[Annoying 80?s Music Playing on Radio]

Hey. What's wrong?

Oh, I'm so nervous.

What's there to be nervous about?
You're just gonna meet my mom.

Thank you. That's, that's helpful.

And Jeff... and my aunts and uncles...

and anybody I've ever
loved... in my entire life.

Prepare your self. This is big.

I'm ready. Why do I have to prepare myself?

That's right. Prepare yourself.

Oh, you're here!

Oh, hi! I can't believe
I'm finally meeting Nancy.

Oh! You're even prettier than I thought

Brad has told me so much
about you, Mrs. Cohen

Oh, Ellen.

Well, that's more than
he tells me about you

Wha-what! What? I tell you all about Nancy.

Oh, you never tell me the real stuff.

-Come on, Nancy -Bobo, get the bags, honey.

Yes, Bobo. Get on that.

So, are you exhausted?

No.

Oh, good. Because we've got a pedicure

appointment in an hour.

-This is Nancy. -Hi.

- Who I was telling you about.
- So, nice to meet you.

And, no, wait, Janet.
Here, come and meet Janet.

-OK. Hi! Nancy. -And one other person...

Mom's going a little overboard

making Nancy feel like family.

Is that a possibility? Her being family?

I don't know. I mean, you know,

I know but I don't, I
don't, I don't, I don't...

Oh, yeah. It's, it's
serious. Has she met Dad?

No! No, no, no, no...

Well, what are you waiting for?

Hey. Back off, will'ya?

He ended up falling flat

and then he hit his head
straight against the curb.

Gave himself a concussion.

Well, You'll excuse me,
Nancy's needed in the kitchen.

I'm just going to steal her for one second.

Needed in the kitchen.

OK.

Are you rescuing me?
Because I don't need rescuing

I do.

What's going on?

How was your pedicure?

If you're wondering

what did your Mom and I
talked about, we talked about you.

And us.

Is something wrong?

I was just wondering,

if I told you,

I love you.

I mean, it just, it scares me. Right?

I never thought about it before.

I never dared think about it.

Look, Brad.

She understands about
your noises, she doesn't care.

You know, you make her happy, Brad

she told me that, Brad. You make her laugh.

Well, what if one day she stops laughing?

What if one day she gets fed
up of living with someone who

I just, I don't want to hurt her, Mom...

Maybe you don't want to get hurt.

Both.

The only thing that can hurt either of you:

is if you let Tourette's
drive her away from you.

If you let it win.

Heather's mother had called to say

Heather was no longer
able to attend school.

So, the class all
pitched in to cheer her up

Oh, wow. Look at this table.

It looks very good.

Ah, this looks great over here.

The news we'd all been
dreading came a few weeks later...

Hey.

Hi, Mr. Cohen.

What's up, Henry.

Hi.

-Hey, Eli. -Hi, Mr. Cohen.

Hey, Mr. Cohen.

What's up, Gaylon?

These are my grandparents,
James and Shirley.

Sir, they're about to start the service.

You go ahead.

Mr. Cohen? Aren't you coming in?

I'm sorry... I thought I could but I...

I think I'd be too disruptive.

You made such a huge
difference in Heather's life.

You were her favorite teacher.

Please, don't leave without
saying goodbye to her.

Okay, Thomas... what is your team's word?

Weird!

Weird. Anybody not on Thomas's team

know what that word means?

Strange.

Creepy.

Scary.

Very good.

Who can use the word weird in a sentence?

Me, oh, me!

25 30 35 40
25, 30, 35, 40.

The girl in pigtails.

50! Gaylon!

"I like weird movies." Sorry, Mr. Cohen.

I know you can't go to them

because you get thrown
out of the movie theater.

Well, that's OK, Gaylon.

Boom. Because I can rent movies.

And I also like weird movies.

So weird is a good word, right?

But what if someone comes up
to you and they say, "Hey, you!"

Yeah, you. I'm talking
to you. You're weird.

Is it still a good word?

Noooo.

What, what's that?

OK, everyone, stay in your seat.

It's Maxine and big Red.

Mr. Cohen, can't we go see them?

Okay, but everyone... inside voices...

Everyone line up by
the door and no running.

You got it. Yeah. Exactly.
Eli, get in there, man.

All right, but be careful.

So, what do you think
of it? Pretty cool, huh?

Eli! What did I tell you?
All right, no pulling the horn.

Or else you guys are coming down.

Sorry, Maxine.

That's all right.

Kids will be kids.

Yes, yeah. Yeah, they will.

They still getting along?

Well, it looks like it.

Give 'em time.

I like Nancy.

She reminds me of your
Mom when we first met.

They don't look anything alike.

I'm not talking about
looksl'm talking about that...

spark, that spirit, that,
ah, "je ne sais quoi."

How are things at school?

Oh, you know.

We got more books than bookcases,

roof leaks, budget cutbacks...

Little worried they might
not ask me back next year.

There's plenty of teachers with
a lot more experience than me.

I'm proud of you regardless.

Doesn't feel that way.

Why do I feel like you're
still embarrassed by me?

And it's okay, Dad, you can admit it.

You're not trying to start something...?

No. No, no.

But, you know, we're finally
talking, and it's good, so let's talk.

I've always been an embarrassment to you.

I have, haven't l? Even when
you used to come visit me,

you used to squirm when all
those eyeballs would click my way.

You've never been able to accept it.

You're right.

It is tough being with you sometimes

I hate it when we go to restaurants
and people give you those looks.

Sometimes, I just...

I just feel so helpless.

You know, I've always been
a guy who could fix things...

but the one thing I could
never fix was the one thing

that was hurting you most.

It doesn't need fixing.

Nobody can fix it.

I know. I know.

But maybe it's my fault.

Maybe I gave it to you.

Come on, guys.

We only have two minutes
before the media center closes.

Hurry up, back there.
Stay to the side, guys.

Stay to the side. What did I tell you?

Guys in the back, come on, hurry up.

Dad?

What are you, ah, what are you doing here?

You said you needed bookcases, didn't you?

Your Father's built us new
bookshelves for the library.

Things are a little slow at the office.

This way, gentlemen.

Oh, and I got you
something for your collection.

Put it on, Mr. Cohen.

A hard hat for an extremely hard head.

Hey, class, that's my dad.

Hi, Mr. Cohen!

Hi!

Come on.

Come on!

And, and Hilarie didn't
say what this was about?

No idea.

We were at recess and she said she
needs to see you in your classroom.

I think it might have to do with next year.

Here he is.

Brad.

Would you come over here a moment, please?

Hilarie's got an announcement to make.

Some of you may have noticed

an observer hanging around
school the last few weeks.

Well, he was here to
assess one of our teachers.

Mr. Cohen.

And I'm here to announce that our
very own Brad Cohen has been chosen

from amongst all the new
educators in the state of

Georgia to be Sallie Mae's
First Year Teacher of the Year.

As I looked at my students,
I felt like a kid inside.

Because children look at life differently

than most audults.

They see the world and say, I will.

Not I can't. And so did l.

This shirt's too tight. The
label's digging in my back...

I cut out the label. I don't know
what you're so nervous about.

You're in front of a crowd every day.

Well, these aren't second-graders.

Now...

Oh, man, I wish I was invisible.

Well, that is something you'll
never have to worry about.

Hold still, hold still!

I love you.

Go, Mr. Cohen!

Come on, Bobo, you can get through this

Don't worry. He's going to get through it.

The noise you just heard
is the Tourette Syndrome

I've been living with
since I was six years old.

I'm standing up here today

because the love and support
of a lot of people put me up here

My family,

my school family, my
students, and all my friends.

I owe this award to all of them.

But I also owe it to the toughest,

and, and most dedicated teacher I ever had:

my Constant Companion. My Tourette's.

Now, some of you may think that's
pretty weird to thank a disability...

and calling it a great teacher?

That's really weird.

I mean, what could I
possibly learn from a disability?

Yes, Gaylon.

You learned to keep going.

Eli?

You learned to not let it stop you.

Yes, Thomas.

You learned to not let it win!

That's right.

Coping with my Tourette's has taught me

the most valuable lesson
that anyone could ever learn:

And that is to never let anything

stop you from chasing your dream

from working or playing or falling in love.

That's right.

Coping with my Tourette's has taught me

the most valuable lesson...

Yes, Thomas.

Can you bring that award

to show and tell on Monday?

You bet.