Hallmark - Front of the Class

Two weeks ago I was watching T.V. at home and, although I wasn´t expecting to find anything important or too entertaining, I came across an excellent movie. It´s called “Front of the Class” and it´s the story of a teacher who suffers the “Tourette Syndrome,” which made him make various strange noises. Those noises bothered people around him so much that he even had a detached relationship with his own father, who couldn´t feel anything but shame and embarrassment in front of his son (especially in public).

Despite his uncomfortable noises, this boy wanted to become a teacher in order to be “the teacher he never had” and it seems he´s managed to become such a special teacher. In the film, he´s a second grade teacher who manages to teach in a very didactic and engaging way. He establishes a very close relationship with his students and he teaches them both the contents in the syllabus and many other things useful for the children´s future lives. Together with his students, he goes through both difficult and happy situations.

While I was watching the movie, the way the teacher taught made me remember the almost perfect plans we have had to make for the Workshops. By the end of the movie I discovered it was based on a true story. The real teacher is called Brad Cohen and he´s American. The film shows most of his life and teacher career. This man has become a famous teacher in his country and around the world, since he´s got a foundation to help those children who suffer the same syndrome he has. What´s more, he´s published an autobiography in which he explains how much he´s suffered and how determined he´s been to see his dream of becoming a teacher fulfilled.

I guess you´ll love the film. It´s been broadcasted in Hallmark all this month, but you could rent it at a video club for sure. Just to see some of its scenes, here is a short video:

And in case you want to see Brad Cohen´s website you can click here. If you´re interested in watching the film with your students there´s also a guide available for free.

I hope you enjoy it!