Class Performance » Front of the Class Movie

Hallmark Channel Now Featuring Front of the Class

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:10:04 +0000

What do Martha Stewart and Front of the Class have in common?

They will both be featured on the Hallmark Channel! The first viewing will be on Saturday, April 3rd at 9:00pm/est. Look for reruns to continue throughout the year.

Feel free to spread the word to those who missed it the first few times. This is your chance to learn more about Brad Cohen and Tourette syndrome. Check out Jimmy Wolk, Patricia Heaton, Treat Williams, Dominic Scott Kay and so many other wonderful actors as they help the world discover that dreams can come true!

Get updated on Brad’s new foundation too. The Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation is up and running. Sign up on this website for updates.

If you like the movie, be sure to check out the award winning book too. It makes for a great present to educators or anyone looking for an inspirational story. Buy the book or DVD now!

Cheers, Brad

Front of the Class Nominated for Movieguide Award

admin — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:05:37 +0000

Movieguide Awards

The Movies Nominated

Today I learned Front of the Class has been nominated by Movieguide Awards for their Faith and Freedom Award for movies that promote positive American values. The award ceremony is in LA on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.

This is a great honor to just be nominated along with other great movies like John Adams, The Christmas Choir, Hero Ships, and The Medal. Due to the last minute announcement, I’m not sure if we will be able to attend the event. Either way, just being named is unbelievable and to find out that we won would be even better.

I’ve always known that my story would make a difference in the lives of others, but for the movie to be nominated for an award would be a great way to give credit to all those actors, actresses, directors, producers, etc and all those behind the scene people who worked so hard to make Front of the Class the first class movie it turned out to be.

Thank you Hallmark Hall of Fame for once again believing in my story! And thank you to Movieguide and the selection committee for thinking so highly of my story and Front of the Class!

Click here to see pictures from the event: Dominic Scott Kay (pictured), Tom Rickman, Brent Shields, Andy Gottlieb, and Cameron Johann all in attendance repsenting Front of the Class.

We have officially learned that Front of the Class didn’t win the Faith and Freedom Award. That award was given to John Adams and The Medal. But we did win a special award which was not on the program for Outstanding Movie About a Disability. Members of the team got up to speak at the ceremony!

Do You Want To Write To Brad?

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:14:38 +0000

Write Brad

Did your class watch the movie, Front of the Class? Did your class read the book, Front of the Class? Did a group of teachers from your school read, Front of the Class? Are you a future teacher who read, Front of the Class?

If so, you might be interested in writing Brad Cohen? If you write Brad, he will read it! Brad will also try his hardest to respond to your email. Brad has gotten thousands of emails and wants to communicate with the public. Because Brad continues to teach and travel around the United States, his time is limited.

If your groups wants to communicate with Brad, it is asked that you compile all of your comments and questions into one email. If you’d like to send Brad snail mail, please email him for the best address.

If you want Brad to sign your book, he can either send you a signed copy or you can send him your book with a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope).

If you are emailing Brad because you are doing a report on Tourette Syndrome or on Brad, please don’t procrastinate and ask Brad to respond in one day to your questions. Brad HIGHLY RECOMMENDS for you to read his book prior to emailing him questions. Many of the questions you will be asking can be found in his book. After you’ve read the book, Brad will be happy to fill in the gaps and clarify anything you want to help you get an “A” or write the best paper possible. This is why Brad wrote the book. He knows he can’t be everywhere all the time and the book/movie helps educate others about his story.

If you want to contact Brad, email him by clicking on this link!

Cheers

New Year’s Resolutions and Not Allowing “IT” to Win!

admin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:19:24 +0000

New Year's Resolutions

What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Diet? Exercise? Not watching so much TV? For me, I always found making a New Year’s Resolution kind of funny, because most people jump into their “new” routine and by the end of January or February, they’re back to their “old” routine again. Instead of making a resolution this year, I challenge you to Not Allow “IT” To Win.

What is it?

Everybody has a different “IT.” For me ”IT” is Tourette Syndrome, for you ”IT” may be a sickness, disease, obesity, financial situation, losing a family member or a friend, finding a new job, etc. In my movie Front of the Class, we kept coming back to the idea that I didn’t allow “IT” or my Tourette’s win. This is a major theme of both my book and my movie. It’s really the theme of my life and it’s an important message I want others to not only remember, but to also act on.

Stephen Covey wrote the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The premise of this book is if you want to turn something from an action into a habit, follow the seven principle stated in his book. Two of the biggest ideas are to be PROACTIVE and THINK WIN/WIN.

For me, being PROACTIVE was so important as I needed to educate others first to make sure others understood TS. Once other people knew I had TS, it made my life a lot easier. This is why I say it is never too early to educate other people about your child’s special needs. Don’t shy away from it, embrace it and learn how to manage your issues.

For you, being PROACTIVE means to step outside your comfort zone for a little bit and start forming some new habits. Yes, it will feel a little uncomfortable, but if you take some small steps towards not allowing “IT” to win, you can beat “IT” just like I have. “IT” may never go away, but I do feel you’ll know how to better manage “IT” down the road. For me with TS, “IT” has never gone away, but is age comes wisdom and I do feel like I’ve managed my life better as I’ve learned from my own lessons in life. You won’t see me in a movie theater on the first night a movie is released sitting in the middle of the theater, that is just not smart. But you will see me getting the DVD a few months later and watching it on my own TV in my own home. Be PROACTIVE and have a game plan that works for you. Be motivated enough to do something so you won’t allow “IT” to win.

The idea if THINK WIN/WIN is plastered all over Front of the Class. You must have a positive attitude throughout life and truly believe you CAN do it. For me, if I started to honestly believe I would not be able to find a job as an elementary school teacher, then those negative thoughts would quickly take over and hurt my self esteem, self confidence and ultimately put me in a tough place which is difficult to rebound from. Once you get those negative thoughts in your head, it is super hard to change that mentality. So, stand tall, be positive and know that you won’t allow “IT” to win.

As the new year begins, I challenge you to think about what lies ahead and how do you plan on dealing with “IT.” Everybody will deal with “IT” differently and I’m absolutely OK with that. My main goal is for you to learn from my experiences in life and not allow your “IT” to win in your life.

Click here to buy my book Front of the Class. DVD will be for sale soon.

How do you plan to not allow your “IT” win?

Movie Question: Does Brad really like Milli Vanilli?

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:57:48 +0000

Yes the rumors are true, we love Milli Vanilli!

Absolutely! Sometimes things are made up in movies and sometimes the movie is totally correct. My friends can verify that both Nancy and I really do love Milli Vanilli. It is our goal that Milli Vanilli will make a comeback after the premiere of Front of the Class.

Do you like Milli Vanilli or are we the last two genuine Milli Vanilli fans?

Movie Question: Was the Trucker Buddy program real? Was Maxine real?

admin — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:20:16 +0000

Have a Trucker Buddy like our class did! Maxine was for real! (But this is not our class pictured)

Yes it was! Are you a teacher interested in doing a great geography unit with your students. Here is the link for the Trucker Buddy Program. Sign up now and get a trucker buddy to travel around the nation and be your classes pen pal.

As you saw in Front of the Class, the kids love it and maybe someday your trucker buddy will be in your area and surprise your class just like “Maxine” surprised our class.

Is this a project you think your students would enjoy? How would you use the trucker buddy program in your class?

Movie Question: Can teachers show Front of the Class in their classrooms?

admin — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:27:38 +0000

Jimmy Wolk in the Classroom

It is my hope that teachers will use Front of the Class to share my story with their students. Between the bullying that takes place to Brad saying “I just want to be treated like everyone else” their are many lessons to look at with Brad Cohen’s story. So many Character Education words come to mind that were a central theme in this story.

1) Positive Attitude
2) Perseverance
3) Passion
4) Honesty
5) Acceptance
6) Self Control
7) Respect for Others
8 ) Kindness
9) Accountability
10) Courage
11) Courtesy
12) Tolerance
13) Acceptance
14) Persistence
15) Self-respect
16) Motivation
17) Patience
18) Determination
19) Self-reliance
20) Self-confidence

ATTENTION TEACHERS and EDUCATORS and PARENTS: What lessons would you teach in the classroom after you show Front of the Class to your students? What conversations took place after parents and children watched the movie together?

I’d love to collect your thoughts so I can create a “Teacher Guide” to distribute to go along with the movie for when classrooms and families watch the movie. PLEASE SHARE!

Movie Question: When will the move be available on DVD? And where can we buy it?

admin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:59:24 +0000

It looks like the #1 question I keep getting is “When will “Front of the Class” be available on DVD and where can we buy it?” People also want to know if the movie will rerun on TV. The way it looks right now is that no, it will not rerun on TV for at least 1 year and then it might go to the Hallmark Channel.

Brad Cohen’s story will be available for purchase sometime in March in Hallmark Stores across America.

Click here and sign up on Brad’s Website Mailing List as he will update everyone once he knows when the DVD will be for sale. You’ll find the sign-up in the bottom right hand corner of his website.

Are you planning to buy the DVD? Is it going to be for you or for someone else to watch?

Movie Question: Was Heather Real?

admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:59:38 +0000

Brad and Heather visit for final time, click on the picture to see a better quality photo

Heather was a real person! In the movie, the timeline was a little different. Heather was in my first 2nd grade classroom in 1996 and didn’t get sick until her 5th grade year. She passed away from Cancer in January of her 6th grade year.

To learn more about Heather and the impact she made in my life, check out Chapter 13, “Remembering Heather.” You’ll be able to read about Heather’s “Fifth Grade Walk,” our last visit together, my feelings during the funeral, and how I made sure Heather was never forgotten as we got our school involved with Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

Here you will see a picture of Heather and I during our last visit together before she passed away.

I know that many people were touched by the loss of Heather in the movie. She was a special girl and I’m honored that “Hallmark Hall of Fame” wanted to keep her memory alive in the movie. I know Heather’s family is grateful.

Katherine Shepler did an amazing job in the movie playing the role of Heather. I know we will see Katherine in many more movies in the future. Everyone on set enjoyed being around her. Heather would be proud of her!