Front of the class, the book

As a child with Tourette Syndrome, Brad Cohen was ridiculed, beaten, mocked, and shunned. Other children, teachers, and even sometimes family members found it difficult to be around him. His mother’s encouragement and his brother’s support were key elements that kept him going. College and then job hunting brought new challenges, but he continued to strive toward his goal to be a teacher and was rewarded when he was named Georgia’s First Class Teacher of the Year.

Front of the Class: The "Hallmark Hall of Fame" movie

FRONT OF THE CLASS, a new "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation starring Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), Treat Williams ("Everwood") and Jimmy Wolk ("The Spiral Project"), aired on CBS Television Networks on December 7, 2008. The drama is based on the true story written by Brad Cohen (Wolk) who, after being challenged by Tourette's syndrome from a very young age, defies all odds to become a gifted teacher.