"Front of the Class"

MAIN CHARACTERS 

• Brad Cohen 
• Norman Cohen 
• Ellen Cohen 
• Jeff Cohen 
• Nancy Lazarus
• Heather

Twelve-year-old Brad lives in Missouri with his divorcée mother, Ellen, and younger brother, Jeff. He constantly gets into trouble with his father Norman and his teachers at school due to his tics. In one class, his teacher calls him to the front to make him apologize to his class for disrupting the class and promise he won't do it again. Determined to find out what is wrong with her son, Ellen seeks medical help. A psychiatrist believes that Brad's tics are the result of his parents' divorce. One lady suggests an exorcism. Ellen takes her search to the library and comes across Tourette syndrome (TS) in a medical book. She shows this to the psychiatrist, who agrees with the diagnosis, and says that there is no cure. Brad and his mother attend a support group for the first and last time. From then on, Brad aspires to never be like the other members of the support group and to become successful.

At the beginning of middle school, Brad is sent to the principal's office for being disruptive. The Principal invites him to the school concert later in the afternoon. At the end of the concert, he calls Brad up to the stage and asks Brad to talk about his TS. As Brad makes his way back to his seat, the school applauds him.

As an adult, Brad lives with his house mate Ron in Georgia, and is looking for work as an elementary school teacher. He is turned down after many interviews because of his TS. He finally gets an interview where the staff are accepting and they give him the job.

On his first day, Brad explains his TS to the children. He helps Thomas with reading and makes an impression on Heather, a girl with terminal cancer. One student's father pulls her out of Brad's class as he fears Brad will distract her.

Brad meets Nancy on an online dating site and invites her over for Thanksgiving back at Ellen's house, where he tells Nancy he loves her, and the feeling is reciprocated. He confides in Ellen his concern that Nancy will get fed up of his tics, but she reassures him that he mustn't let his TS get in the way.

An observer at the school assesses Brad's teaching, and the headteacher announces that Brad has been chosen to receive the Teacher of the Year award, which he accepts his award in front his family, friends and students.

QUOTES

“Everyone, regardless of ability or disability, has strengths and weaknesses. Know what yours are. Build on your strengths and find a way around your weaknesses.” ― Brad Cohen

“You can’t judge a banana by the outside. The outside of the banana might be all bruised and discolored and look really nasty, but once you open the banana and peel the skin back, there could be a nice, clean, fresh banana inside. I also explained that there are all different kinds of bananas, just as there are all different kinds of people, and that we shouldn’t judge either the people or the bananas in our lives until we have the chance to “peel back the skin” and learn what’s inside.” ― Brad Cohen

“A positive outlook breeds success, just as a negative outlook breeds failure.” ― Brad Cohen