Yong Sheng Tan 11/16/2013

The Front of Class Discrimination within humans never stopped ever since we are first created. People discriminate each other from the perspective of money, power and racial. Some of the people always imagined themselves to be the upper-class of the society. Like the one in the movie The Front of Class, people discriminate Cohen, the Tourette syndrome patient. He suffered the disorder whose outward sign include compulsive throat-clearing and knee knocking, violent muscle twitches, and piercing bark. Hence, he is disliked by most of the friends and teachers because he made noises in the class and affected the class progress. However, the syndrome was kind of unknown to the world during his time. The movie is based on the life of Brad Cohen, the American motivational speaker, teacher, and author who made his way through all the challenges and difficulties. People with any kinds of disabilities should not be discouraged by the criticism from people but brace themselves to be treated the same as the others. First of all, Cohens mother in the movie is a loving one and always brings support for her son. She never gave up hope on her son even when there is no cure for the disorder. She gave full mental support and tried all the way that could possibly cure her son disease. Unlike the mother of Cohen, society nowadays tends to be like Cohens father. He felt embarrassed when he knew his kid suffered from some diseases that are incurable. In the society, the parents would rather hide it from the public rather than seeking for help. They felt ashamed when their kids are different and the differences would cause the kids to be less competitive. However, after times flies, they would slowly accept the fact that their child is different and it would be better if they just support him. In the movie, Cohens mother brought him to see a psychologist, a helping group and even begged for the school to let him continue study as a normal kid in the normal school. She had made the attempt to make Cohen feel less different from the other and get to be

Yong Sheng Tan 11/16/2013

proud of who he is and what he will be. She even supported Cohens dream as a teacher which sound impossible for people with Tourette syndrome. In the other hand, Cohens father tends to dislike Cohen for his weird behaviors and also disgusted Cohen for the shame he brought him. However, on the developing part of the movie, Cohens father realize how foolish he had been and tried to make it up for him. Parents would be the key to help their children in developing their futures and they are the mental support that can encourage them to be a successful individual in the society. Other than that, the movie also present to the audience on the kindness of the society. Through the movie, we saw that the principal of Cohens primary school had stood up for Cohen and also be the benefactor that helps him to encounter the criticism on him. He shows the others how educators should act on the case of special student. He requested all the students and including teachers in the school to be more tolerance for Cohen because of the Tourette syndrome. This should set an example for educators today. They could learn from the principal and stop looking down on students with disorder. Other than that, the school that interviewed and hired Cohen as a teacher could have be the role model for society. Even though society nowadays seems to be very realistic and often choose not to hire people with disorder to increase efficiency of the company. There would be company that willingly hires these peoples and it should be exercise by other company too. Most important, the movie is full of positive moral value that should be learned by everyone in the world. It provides the life journey of Cohen and his family and the way they fight through the challenges. Cohen never gave up spirits and the determined soul had brought success to him. He was awarded Sallie Mae First Class Teacher of the Year in 1997 which also proved to the world that nothing is impossible. His later life was written into a bibliography by

Yong Sheng Tan 11/16/2013

himself name Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had which is published in 2005. He also won the Publisher Book Award for Best Education Book for that year. Not just the people that suffered Tourette syndrome but anyone in the world should take Cohen as the role model for life. His never gave up spirits and determination in achieving success is worth learning. In a nutshell, The Front of Class is a worth watching movie and the messages it try to convey to the audience would be very educational. Parents should take time and finish the movies with their young one, as this movie would definitely bring great impact to their life.