[Music] done my name is Bradley Cohen but when I was a kid people called me by lots of names my brother Jeff called me Dr Bobo my mom called me honey and the kids at school well they called me everything from spaz to freak I didn't have many friends actually but I did have a constant campaign I can barely remember a time it wasn't there [Music] now sometimes it wasn't a problem for me [Applause] no times it was straw boy I said what is going on come on bring it on stop that stop that now come on come on get back to class stop that nonsense the girl fell in the mud and got dirty one thing my constant companion and I agreed on was that we hated school couldn't wait till I got out no more homework no more books no more teachers dirty looks [Music] [Applause] but it was years before it had a name now the shrink said I was just hyper I made funny noises and acted weird to draw attention to myself it was just a face I'd grow out of it and be normal like everybody else [Music] through it all my constant companion stuck with me now to my friends I'm just regular old brat the guy who likes baseball and who loves cheesy 80s music which they think is much weirder than noises I made [Music] afternoon officer was I speeding 12 miles over the limit St Louis huh you touched oh no I live in Atlanta now I just moved here I guess I was a little distracted someone you've been drinking no no sir I uh I have Tourette syndrome take it easy though I'm gonna need to do this though so what kind of job you looking for teaching gonna be a teacher [Music] uh-huh I get that look a lot but I never let it get to me [Music] I see you have a ba from Bradley University that's an Illinois isn't it yes ma'am graduated laude High recommendations your student teaching evals or outstanding excellent what made you decide to go into teaching um it's all I ever wanted to do I feel like I was born to teach well I choose Atlanta I mean Missouri is your home yeah no I'm uh I'm thinking of becoming a race fan so uh Georgia honors my Illinois teaching certificate but plus I fell in love with Atlanta when I worked down here as a camp counselor I live here now so does my dad and stepmom well it's nice to have family I'm here to give you support maybe we should talk about the elephant elephant in the room my Tourette's no the Americans with Disabilities Act doesn't allow me to ask no but I would like to tell you just like I tell the kids in my classes see I explained to them that it's a brain thing that causes me to make these strange noises they're like sneezes irrepressible when you have to you have to well they react once they understand they're fun it's never caused a problem in the classroom all I want is a chance just get me the interviews and let me prove to them that I can do the job the Americans with Disabilities Act says I'm entitled to a chance [Music] who wants to teach you the barks like a dog you should try another line of work are you serious didn't they look at your resume ah you're kidding they're setting up some interviews with some principals fantastic when uh I don't know I gotta wait for the calls get changed we gotta go celebrate haven't you got a date yeah I'll see if she's got a friend it's about time you start meeting some chicks I can't focus on dating right now has anybody ever told you that you're obsessive uh only every shrink I ever saw well have fun focusing oh your dad called again maybe you should call him back oh you know all right I'll see you later returning dad's call I'd have to prepare for that see Mom and Dad had divorced when I was a little kid and my relationship with dad had always been uh let's just say complicated [Music] I wore out his pitch awkward [Music] help that my brother Jeff was also a little hyper just wanted to say goodbye bye you're gonna make a mess come on erase you get the green dragon you gotta be kidding second here [Music] it went down guys quiet down we do have neighbors you know come here see I did beat you yeah calm down Brad come here come on honey Focus will ya come here come here stand here listen listen up Focus please all right I need you guys to do me a favor I want you both to make life a little easier for your mom okay you are driving her nuts guys listen hey hey stop it Brad help her out around the house but most of all let us stop the obnoxious behavior okay Hey listen I mean it okay quit the clowning your brother may think it's funny but I don't I can't help it yes you can there's nothing wrong with you a little self-control wouldn't fix now stop it Norman yeah they're not gonna hold that plane for you okay all right okay come here [Music] bye-bye Jay man [Music] I love you Dad love you too kiddo Hey listen up we'll stay at my house next time okay I'll get tickets to a Braves game Brad remember what we talked about self-control all right need any help now that you mention it [Music] it's a new doctor let's just listen to what he has to say what no one has to say do you feel any anger toward your mother because of divorce well no no you resent your father because he doesn't live with you anymore wow no do you blame yourself for the divorce Brad it happened when I was a little kid but wow I don't even remember [Music] Bob has some serious denial issues what he needs at home are some clear boundaries he needs to understand that this behavior is totally unacceptable [Music] is your job the hardest part was knowing how tough I made things for Mom tried his best as I could for her make sure he keeps taking his medication and for Dad I played Sports on the ball field I fit right in I mean everybody makes funny noises and has strange tics at a baseball game [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] thank you very much okay all right what hey guys I got something pretty exciting to tell you honey don't eat so fast you're gonna get the hiccups he's always got the hiccup you're a hiccups listen hey would you just relax Jeff says you're not taking your meds how are you ever how are you ever gonna calm down if you don't do what the doctor tells you he'll just make it worse oh I see so you're a doctor now too huh he's Dr Bobo shut up all right guys listen guys I have a very important announcement to make guys all right that's it we're going back to the car come on still hungry you know what would be nice one day without you acting up one [Music] [Music] see now it's been dead I've been seeing someone what do you mean seeing something my name is Diane and Brad please stop doing that can't I mean nothing's happened yet but how would you guys feel about having stepmom wait we've already got them all well now you're gonna have two talk to your mom about it she's fine she said I said stop it just just stop it you see I couldn't really blame Dad for losing it my ticks drove him nuts because like my teachers he had no name for my strange Behavior except insufferable now somehow I don't know how I made okay grades but what would take a normal person an hour took me two or three I mean I love learning but I hated hated reading trying to concentrate brought out the worst in my constant companion [Laughter] it's difficult as this may be for you Mrs Cohen I assure you the teachers are at their wits in I understand no no this is going to be the last chance I mean the very last chance Brad look I sent for your mother because things have just gotten out of control here now she's going to take you home today you can come back help sorry what did you say he said he can't help it right what if he's telling the truth you've got a bright boy Mrs Cohen but making excuses making excuses is not going to help now he needs to use this time to ask himself that's got questions let's go why am I sabotaging myself I don't care if they expel me I hate that school well it's that it's the apple or another yeah hate old schools why are we going here to find some answers I can't go in the library but throw me out please Mom sit over here well maybe we're just going down the wrong track yeah all of us drop drop drop get on me I know you're busy Norman I won't take up much of your time but I really think that you should hear this well guys keep it down I'm talking to your dad in a minute keep it down no those teachers I mean a doctor to them it's all about bad parenting which of course comes down to me because I'm the only one here no I'm not blaming you Norman in fact I'm gonna stop blaming myself I was talking to a friend and she thinks that the doctors are missing something I got the stack of medical books from the library and I've been doing a little bit of research just stop saying he just needs more discipline Norman nothing I do helps she is out of control and I am at the end of my rope what can I talk to Dad can you just wait a minute honey all right we're getting back to me when you're done what is it Jeffrey hey Dad what that was a great game I got two bass hits and a walk [Music] sorry I caused you so much trouble mom I want you to read something in this book I found it's a medical book that might explain why you make all those noises read Tourette's Syndrome that's that's Brad isn't it the noises and the Twitches I'll still need to do more tests but uh you could be right we may have been at a long road here we're actually seeing a case of Tourette's before so at last my constant companion had a name this says there's no cure but that may have changed this is an old book that hasn't changed this is I'm very sorry but they're still looking for a cure right I mean they will find one won't they they have [Music] it's okay well we'll get through this all right it is a reason dad not being weird on purpose [Music] Brad I am [Music] all right well that's all I wanted to say bye [Music] finally my dad believed me but he never believed in me that I would succeed that I could teach hello this is Brad a dog um yes yes ma'am that is that's my dog [Music] uh okay yes yes I can be there at 11AM my very first interview great that sounds great okay thank you I tried not to overreact I held in my ticks yes awful yes the first call I got two more three interviews with three principles needless to say my constant companion was more than a little enthusiastic foreign [Music] happy bachelor's degree are you planning to get your master yes sir as soon as I can well we don't require for entry level but if you're seriously serious I want to make teaching my life go oh I uh I make these noises because I have Tourette syndrome I'd like to tell you about it it's a neurological disorder where my brain sends mixed signals to my body it's like sneeze it's irrepressible okay thank you very much take care well strike one but like mom always said don't ever give up yeah when I was little mom never stopped researching because while there was no cure there might be ways to live a normal life [Music] not gonna have to get a Bible Lesson it's just a support group we have to you need to connect with other people who have Tourette's find out God they live with it okay drop let's do it oh it's going in there I'd never seen anyone with Tourette's before [Music] there were eye blinkers and nose twitchers foot Stompers and neck jerkers some of them yelped and coughed is this what I looked like to other people what come on Bobo we're here to learn start learning the Americans with Disabilities Act gives us the right to do anything or the only place that we want to should I go into a movie or concert or a restaurant the photos mean anything but people are yelling at you to shut up I come home and my parents close the windows and blinds because they don't want the neighbors to see me no one was even trying to be accepted the adults were out of work the kids stayed at home I knew one thing I didn't want to be like them supposed to be a support group where's the support hide away for the rest of your life I'm really so sorry that I brought you there honey let's just forget this I don't want to forgive this problem it's the lecturette swing I'm never gonna do that it's difficult to imagine that at the age of 12 I would find a genuine philosophy to live by but here it was this defining moment to always face my adversity head on when I went to my next interview I decided to be even more upfront get the threat stuff out of the way first and then Dazzle them with my approach to teaching seem to have been very successful in spiders I've worked very hard to become the best teacher I can be thank you for coming in I'll let you know thanks so much for being upfront for my third interview I decided to avoid discussing much reps at all each week I like to send home a progress report to my students parents I like to give my students a voice to be Hands-On and interactive in the classroom but also keep the parents closely involved Ron it was a was a huge mistake not mentioning my tracks it was like you know I was trying to hide it it's that chance okay that's the negative now the negative is you gotta stop stressing out stressing me out but the positive is that hey the others didn't seem to have a problem with it right I just the positive is you're coming out with me my new girlfriend she has a roommate will you stop trying to set me up when I'm ready to date I will date come on she's heard all about you she still wants to meet you oh thanks real kind listen I want to relax okay I want to watch the Braves we all want to watch the Braves get changed [Music] oh [Music] you do this I'm impressed by this I was not expecting this so that's amazing but I'm pretty good you are so you are really a sports fan ah yes big time okay soccer okay softball tennis yup I played a lot in college but I'm not good enough for the pros I hear that because I wish I good enough to be him who oh you want to be a mascot his name is Homer Homer and it's lifelong ambition okay don't look now okay don't look now there's this guy behind us and I don't know what his problem is yeah he's staring ah I actually get that look a lot it's a look of Envy he's thinking how can I make cool noises like that guy [Music] you have such a great attitude about your [Music] right this is Brad I hate that yeah no Ron Ron Ron told me you called I just uh no I've been so busy that no I haven't had lunch yet all right that sounds great where do you want to meet lunch at Dad's work he wouldn't have to worry about my noises there let me know if you need any more of those trusses okay all right hey hey hey Dad say find your way yeah subscribe lunch outside my office feeling more private all right Ann's wondering when you're gonna come by you guys have been pretty busy with the job mine any luck still interviewing how's that going are they getting any trouble with your uh you can say the word dad Tourette's some of them are some of them are how's your money holding out I'm not asking you for money I know that you've never asked me for anything no if you ever do get shot you know you got a job I'm gonna teach that okay I can't let anything get in the way then okay I'm just saying there's nothing wrong with keeping your options open in case things don't work out you know there are other things besides teaching not for me Dad could never understand my optimism like when I graduated to middle school I was really hopeful things would be different what's the matter Brad [Music] new school new friends same result today we're going to be talking about fractions fractions are your friend use fractions everyday life don't realize for example say Your mother bakes a pie [Music] just go to the principal's office [Music] not the best way to introduce myself to the principal well what do you think our school's foreign what's a school for to educate isn't it but they use knowledge to wipe out ignorance schools orchestras had a concert this afternoon you planning on going no sir it takes will ruin the music I want you to be there [Music] everybody just keep your seats for a minute please thank you you enjoy the concert great job did you hear any noises during the quiet parks yeah so did I they're pretty annoying aren't they the person making those noises is Brad Cohen come on up here Brad stop stop what what what do you like making noises and upsetting people Brad no sir and why do you do it what because I have Tourette's Syndrome what's that it's a thing in my brain that causes me to make weird noises but you could control it if you wanted to right yeah no sir the sickness well why can't you just get cured there isn't any cure I don't like making noises anymore then you like hearing that they're even worse when I get stressed when you don't accept that I can't stop them but and I feel accepted then they're not so bad what can we do and I mean everyone in this school what can we do to help you Brad I just want to be treated like everybody else drop stop [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] few words a little education and it was like opening a door to a brand new world [Music] now someday some way I knew Tourette's or no Tourette's I was going to be a teacher [Music] I had no choice but to prove Tourette's would never get the best of me if I quit I'd be agreeing with everyone who had ever told me I was barking up the wrong tree sorry about the air conditioning supposed to already been fixed by now that's not but well your um your resume looks okay and we do have an opening in the fifth grade but I do have to tell you this is a tough place to work um we've got some really hard cases well I take that as a challenge I don't believe that any kid is hopeless you know they all want to learn you can't ever give up let me just gotta find the right way to teach them uh you got something stuck in your throat would you like a drink I have Tourette's Syndrome well I'd like to tell you a lot isn't that where you yell out obscenities that's copper value that's uh it's a rare symptom that's a small percentage of people threats have I I don't listen they did not tell me that you were going to be handicapped how do you expect to handle a bunch of wild students with handicapped well by educating them by letting them know that it's okay to talk about it it's okay these students would laugh at you uh not not not when I understand that simply okay I have seen teachers with disabilities before and never without you about I just don't see how you could ever teach a class I can teach look at my resume look at it okay I was very successful as a student teacher my tried to never posed a problem I can teach a bottom line I need somebody now for the fifth grade you want to teach here you're going to have to refrain from making these noises in class [Music] you know what thank you very much for the interview but don't you want the job Yes actually I want it really bad but I would never ever work for a man that doesn't care about his students so I'll take my portfolio and uh and take no more of your time you got a great boss [Music] well thank you [Music] thank you [Music] [Music] laughs [Music] what was the worst interview I've ever had all you can see when he looked at me was my Tourette's it's all any of them see well honey if they can't see what a great teacher you would be that is their failure not yours well it sure seems like my failure well if you say so you know what why don't you just throw in the towel and come home huh I'll buy you a ticket I'm not saying that really that sounds like that's what you're saying it sounds like you're letting Tourette's win I am not letting Tourette's win really yes really look I'm never gonna give up I just I have to find the right School you will Bobo you will [Music] so I decided it wasn't Tourette's I just hadn't found the right school yet I'd keep parking and I wasn't quitting until I found that principle I made a map of every school where I hadn't interviewed [Music] what [Music] book if the principal wasn't in I'd give my resume to a secretary or jander and ask them to drop it off when the principal return I didn't care I needed a job [Music] I wasn't gonna stop you'll be starting at the bottom but that's no big deal that's where I started and you're working seven to four I told you this was only part-time I need to keep my mornings open for interviews I thought that school had started all right no not all well we'll see what happens hearing and tools of the train just for the time being like I said at the bottom but every job is important here and who knows maybe end up liking it and if you put your time in you know you get what I just said I'm only working here until I get a teaching job all that stuff has to go in the Duster the hiring season was ending my interviews had dried up school had started I was running out of time and money and Hope Diane I gave up on you ever come to me so I just came to you busy it was my stepmom Diane trying to build Bridges with Bagels my dad built his business with his own two hands you can't blame him for wanting you to be a part of it it's just being a dab he wants him his life so how do you like Atlanta you meet any nice girls I've just seen all right thanks huh let me get you a refill Brad your dad loves you [Music] just doesn't want to see you get hurt the only thing that hurts is the fact that he has never accepted who I am see he's got this idea of a perfect son who's normal and does normal things well I'm never going to be normal well maybe that's not his idea Brad maybe that's yours you're right you are not normal you have a gift to teach it's not in spite of your Tourette's threats it's because of it I'm gonna go [Music] ahead [Music] hello this is Brad uh yes uh that's a sheepdog uh-huh yep Brad Cohen ten o'clock is is perfect for me absolutely okay great [Music] you must be Brad code come on in the office Fred we heard they're coming all the way from the parking lot where you've been making the rounds uh 25 schools so far and uh here's here's my resume over here oh we can look at that in a minute Brad just come on in and tell us why you want to be a teacher okay well it's uh oh it's it's all I ever wanted to be but ever since I was in school you must have had some pretty inspiring teachers uh well I had an inspiring principal Mr Meyer but my teachers they really only inspired me to be the kind of teachers that they never were what kind of teacher is that one who makes it possible for a kid to learn even if he's different in a way the the best teacher I ever had was my Tourette's you you don't have to talk about no it's okay I make a point of being open about it it's uh never offense to my students they can ask me anything they want about it at any time but you must get some pretty interesting questions oh yeah sometimes it's really personal this question isn't too personal Brad do you make those noises in your sleep I don't know I'm asleep no no I don't take in my sleep when I'm relaxed the noises give me a little bit of a break but just now okay friend I want to hear more about your teaching philosophy yeah I'd love to tell you about my teaching philosophy we talked for nearly two hours it was the best interview I'd ever had well Brad it was a pleasure to be yeah you too you too we still got a few more we'll let you know when we've made a decision okay thank you thank you [Music] still my constant companion as always warned me not to get my hopes up [Music] is a hard habit to break [Music] box [Music] okay [Music] I was called one last time and asked to come in and meet with the second grade staff oh you student s so open-minded they're open to everything yes but you do manage to maintain a little discipline right while they're being so open I do let them know what the boundaries are yes so Brad what do you think is the most important thing you have to teach yeah well besides the importance of reading and the value of math that it's okay to be yourself it's okay to call it outside the lines that's who you are so um it's okay to ignore the boundaries no and I didn't die I'm sorry but how can you expect kids to learn when you're doing that all the time oh come on Brandeis no no it's okay it's a valid question and I want to answer it before they know me kids sometimes do think I'm just weird or even scary but once I educate them about my Tourette's and they can see that Mr Cohen is a real person who just happens to make funny noises well then they accept me as a good teacher just like they accept all of you well maybe we should all try to be more like second graders does anyone have any other question for Mr Cohen Brad thanks for coming in school will be in touch with you and so just be patient it's hard to be patient when you feel as though you've blown your last chance and patience was never my constant companion strong suit I'm guessing you never heard from that school no not yet they're still interviewing what I'm not worried okay what's that supposed to mean I just said okay I know what you mean you don't think anybody would hire me if they had a choice are you a mind reader now you know what Dad this is gonna be my last day here why don't you wait and see if you got the job first I'm gonna get the job done you just have to stay focused why can't you stay focused and realistic at the same time what's wrong with that there I was waiting for the phone ring again I tried to convince myself something good would happen [Music] my kid brother not exactly what I had in mind what what are you doing here why did you tell me you were coming you know what you're in your boxers right did uh Mom send you to check up why you need checking up on no but we're up on my stuff that's great you get the couch whoa nice clubs are these new uh they're dads you let me borrow them I thought maybe I could uh play a little golf you got us a tea time at his Club foreign from here little bro hey by the way thanks for the round I think Dad oh wait you guys aren't speaking I don't want to talk about that right now you're just saying that to Rattle me because you know I'm going to beat you I'm serious Brad you you and Dad gotta start getting along we get along just fine as long as we keep it long distance to keep a long distance but I mean it's not like you have anything to prove to him right what are you now Jeff a shrink doctor Jeff huh sorry sir I'm going to have to ask you to stop making those noises look pelly's not doing it no no I can handle Jeff I got it look it's just not fair to the other golf no I understand um I can't help making these noises because I have Tourette Syndrome it's a neurological disorder I'd like to tell you about it you're gonna have to leave the course I gotta think of the other members Hey Joe leave the guy alone he's fine hey man we're twosome and our buddies don't appear to be showing would you like to join us if you don't leave I'm gonna have to call security okay okay um okay thanks guys maybe next year all right Jeff come on come on buddy thanks Jeff did give me a break for my worries and right after he left I got a call from the school the principal wanted to see me in his office just like old times pretty noisy huh and yet some other kids manage don't they yes they do they do Hillary and I discussed you with the teachers and we talked about how proud We Are of teaching our kids to never let anything hold them back in life and Hillary said if we're going to talk to talk we need to walk the walk she's waiting to show you her classroom welcome so some of them might be a little confused they've already been in school for three weeks there's your student roster fun starts Monday Brad let me know if there's anything you need I need everything I looked down at that roster like I was announcing the starting lineup for an All-Star baseball Hillary this is uh thank you hey we thought you might need these hey everybody bring them in just put them down anywhere we'll get them arranged here let me help you with that thank you welcome to Mountain View yeah Mom it's phenomenal but you know it's taking me so long to get here I still have to remind myself that I'm just at the beginning that is wonderful news that's wonderful yes Mom it is absolutely wonderful but you know they've only given me a contract for a year okay but I still have to prove to them that they've made the right choice just take a moment to enjoy this oh my gosh oh my did you call your father he is going to be so proud I will Mom but you know right now I literally have about two weeks of preparation to do in about two days and uh you know now that I have the job I gotta really seriously start working on getting my master's degree don't worry I'm working on that too I gotta go goodbye foreign you must be Nancy hi I'm Brad right of course I guess I'm a little nervous please this is my first time on computer dating so yeah me too my mom thinks it's dangerous but well yeah I mean you never know what kind of weirdo you might meet but you look pretty normal so good I'm glad she looks much better than normal thank you so uh I guess we're just supposed to tell each other life stories here um okay do you think do you think I could get a get a cup of coffee first come on yeah right yeah of course coming up thanks uh do you want like um muffin I'm on a diet I would love a laughing thank you [Music] my roommate is driving me absolutely crazy she never makes her bed she's got clothes everywhere it's like always blasting her music night and day but of course whenever I want to listen to my music she's all like I need to keep things so what kind of music do you listen to well um mostly oldies stuff especially I love sting um Madonna Bon Jovi you know Millie Vanilli I love Milli Vanilli really great you too we've got to be the only two people on Earth that love Milli vanilliant yeah well I had a really nice time thank you I shouldn't have that muffin but I I really enjoy meeting you yeah me too okay well thanks again Brad no no what did your teachers warn you that Mr Cohen makes funny noises [Music] [Applause] [Music] yeah Tourette Syndrome okay anything you want to know about it I want you to ask yes is it catching no absolutely not you have to be born with it like I was does it hurt well sometimes like when my neck jerks but the noises do not hurt at all these are great questions keep them coming and it's okay to ask me anything about Tourette's yes can you go to movies yes I can go to movies but sometimes I get kicked out and that makes me sad what's the bunny's name his name is just waffle all right guys stop stop any more questions about Tourette's anyone are they ever gonna make you well Mr Cohen well right now there is no medicine that can cure Tourette's but it's okay because I've learned to accept it and I don't let it run my life uh-huh what can't you do like can you not eat oh I can eat okay I eat a lot in fact I can do anything that anybody else can do except there is one thing that Mr Cohen can never do no I can't yeah tell us yeah tell us Mr Cohen can never play hide and go seek why can't you play hide and seek because they hear him stupid well that's the right answer but it's the wrong words because there won't be any name calling in Mr Cohen's class excuse me where are you going bathroom and what's your name Thomas okay well Thomas if you want to leave your suit you have to ask for permission weirdo [Music] hi Caitlyn bye Mr Collins oh bye Heather I'll see you tomorrow oh well thank you Amanda how you doing Mr Right Four Eyes Eli Thomas which one of you guys thinks that you can help me huh all right here's the deal I need to get this ball and put it back in that bin why don't you guys shoot for It Rock Paper Scissors Shoot all right Eli you win today it's okay Thomas you can help him sorry I stuck you with tongues he was making my class impossible he's got a whole alphabet of problems ADD ADHD OCD if you want my advice your past Monday special with no I can't uh I can't do that oh see how you feel after he's trashed a few classes he'll be all right I just need to get settled I can't wait for tomorrow okay you make more noise than my air horn sounds like you got a healthy case of Tourette's just kidding with your son got a dispatcher buddy with TS you ever need any crosstalk country hauling just call for Maxine hey um do you have a card I wasn't being serious son unless you're in the shipping business no I teach second grade here's my car all right Maxine gave me a great idea for a geography list thank you so much Maxine you're welcome safe Trucking I found myself focusing on teaching all the time well almost please [Music] you know what I just realized all ducks have Tourette's why is that I don't know where uh birds of a feather [Music] so it really doesn't bother you does it you know what my Tourette's my noises not when I compare them to the noises other guys make you know like braggers loud talkers and those like egocentric humor challenged idiots seriously no your noises don't bother me at all as long as you keep me laughing well don't say that you know how I get under pressure oh I'm sorry my dad always said I was gonna marry somebody made me laugh now that that has anything to do with with anything [Music] say something quack don't laugh that was a serious Quest I got you though [Music] Mr Cohen hey my mom said to ask if it's okay he's what okay Heather if I give this to waffle you tell your mom that I don't know yeah okay okay [Music] Amanda is everything all right I want to be in your class Mr Collins you are in my class Amanda no he made them take me out see after school everything okay I'm Amanda's teacher Mr Cohen Josh there's nothing wrong I just have to do what's right for my daughter come on Amanda come on concerned about Amanda's ability to concentrate just thought that you'd make it a little harder for her can you just give me a chance we've only just started I pointed that out and he said he's sympathetic but that Amanda needs yes he put it a normal teacher don't take it to heartbread parents are the hardest part of the job all right who can tell me the names of the capitals Maxine and her big red truck have passed through anybody can excuse me excuse me oh man what do I choose I don't know oh Heather Atlanta Nashville Springfield that's great because a lot of people think it's Chicago and uh this is Springfield right Indianapolis oh that's right what am I thinking this is Springfield that's Columbus Springfield's over there Mr Cohen where's mid Eli over here I gotta point it out for me point it out point it out [Applause] [Music] I see it you're telling me that this is Springfield right yes [Applause] you don't have permission to leave your seat Thomas that's right Mr Cohen has eyes in the back of his head go back and sit down please and next time ask I need to sharpen my pencil now Thomas all right now where's Maxine and her big red truck gonna be on Tuesday be bright and early tomorrow David all right hey remember to walk I really like your hat Mr Cohen thank you heather I like your hair a short cousin of Medicine bye [Music] hey um I've been meaning to come speak to you about it I think I know yeah um we were just related to tell anyone at first of course it was only a matter of time before the chemo became obvious so what is uh she gonna be okay um just literature class can't wait to go to school every day I'd be grateful if he kept our secret a little longer I just don't want to be singled out yeah thanks all right baby girl let's go bye [Music] yeah okay oh [Music] what do you think what do you think I already have that one looks great on you though yeah hey what's wrong oh nothing just focusing on school stuff you focus on me for a minute sorry hey hey try this one on I'll make you feel better yes yeah yes really oh my goodness this suits you more than you know I've uh the silence time to go for my Master's Degree wow wow mean you'll be going away no I go locally anyhow I have to pass the entrance test to graduate school first so oh wait isn't that like the like that in a big room with a lot of people yeah they said I could have a room all to myself Tourette's does have its privileges would it bother you if I did go away of course then when he came get out of here come here I want to show you something crazy hey uh it's Brad Cohen right you are Mr Cohen all right I need you to take this package and I need you to go right in there for me oh I'm supposed to have special accommodations you don't have any notation of that I mean everybody tests on the same conditions today okay yeah but I called and they said they said they said that I could have a space to myself you know what I need you to talk to the administrator about that his office is right over there I can't make an exception but they're not set up that way they promised what can I have the right to special testing accommodations listen I'm sorry about your disability but there isn't anything that I can do if you want to take the test you need to go in there look at me how could anybody possibly concentrate if I'm in that room I have to start the exam now [Music] do you need me to call you a doctor isn't there anyone you could call for help Brad calm down I can't understand you but they said you could take it alone okay all right no problem I'll be right there is something happen What drop you can take the test and you'll have a room to yourself when you say to them magic word lawsuit I gotta get to work hey Dad no thanks good luck on the test as it turned out I needed more than just dad's good luck I needed time with the clock and my Tourette's ticking away I failed to get all the way through the test [Music] good job guys Thomas I am so proud of you thank you wow look at that turkey Heather thank you so are you gonna have a big Thanksgiving this year uh-huh mom says all my grandparents are gonna come well that sounds special except when they cry they try to hide it but I always see them can I pet waffle you bet you can come home are you gonna have a good Thanksgiving Mr Cohen yes I am me and Waffle are going to take a little trip to see my mom in St Louis I'm I know yeah well that is super Heather that's exactly where it is now do me a favor will you and I'm gonna trust you to take good care of my friend waffle all right and I will be right back hi Amanda shouldn't you be in your class all right come on I'll walk you to a room why can't I be in your class Mr Cohen well uh your father had to do what was best for you Amanda and you know what you've got a great teacher okay see you later Mr Cohen sure busted where did you learn those words Thomas you know you're not supposed to leave the classroom without asking well you're gonna clean that up and then uh you're on detention a recess but you do get an average spelling you can't read it if you don't open it Thomas I hate reading you do yeah reading's really hard for me hard for you you're a teacher you want to bet let's play a game you be Miss Cohen trying to read and I will be Tourette Syndrome okay read this page Once Upon a Time keep reading amount of time there was I that it should it's a little bit all right keep eating there was a Hey Thomas all right that's hard isn't it's hard to concentrate that's how hard reading is for me it's not that hard for you is it no it's easy for me but how can you be a teacher if you hate books hate books [Music] everything in the world is in books I just have to work extra hard to get it out I'm not gonna give up on you buddy okay and I'm not gonna let you give up on yourself and I keep reading right here once upon a time there was a major legit legit a magician who met a small boy a small boy who was trampled a big sword of a big rock weird I want to start being a rock well I don't know but if you uh keep reading you might just find out the magician told a small boy that whoever could pull the sword out of the rock would be the true king cool [Music] hey what's wrong I'm so nervous what's there to be nervous about you're just gonna meet my mom what thank you that that's helpful and my aunts and uncles anybody I've ever loved in my entire life prepare yourself this is big that's right prepare yourself oh you're here oh hi [Music] hi Mom you're even prettier than I thought Brad has told me so much about you Mrs Oh Ellen well that's more than he tells me about you but what's what I tell you all about now you never tell me the real stuff come on Nancy but we'll get the bags honey yes Bobo get on that so are you exhausted oh good because we have a pedicure appointment in an hour this is Nancy who I was telling you about it don't wait Janet okay that's Nancy mom's going a little overboard making Nancy feel like family is that a possibility her being family I don't know I mean you know I know but I don't I don't know oh yeah it's serious is she my dad no no no no no no no what are you waiting for back off and then he hit his head straight against the curve gave himself well you'll excuse me Nancy's hidden in the kitchen I'm just gonna sleep for one second are you rescuing me because I don't need rescuing uh I do what's going on how's your pedicure if you're wondering what your mom and I talked about she talked about you and us something wrong I was just wondering if I told you I love you [Music] I mean it just it scares me right I never thought about it before Oh I never dared to think about it look Brad she understands about choices she doesn't care you know you make her happy she told me that right you make her laugh what if one day she stops laughing what if one day she gets fed up a living with someone who foreign [Music] I don't want to hurt her mom maybe you don't want to get hurt [Music] oh the only thing that can hurt either of you is if you let Tourette's drive her away from you you let it win [Music] his mother had called to say Heather was no longer able to attend school so the class all pitched in to cheer her up oh wow look at this table looks very good oh this looks great over here go [Music] the news we'd all been dreading came a few weeks later [Music] what's up Henry hi hey Mr what's up Galen these are my grandparents James and Shirley sir they're about to start the service you you go ahead Mr Cohen aren't you coming in sorry I thought I could but I I think I'd be too disrupted you made such a huge difference in Heather's life you were her favorite teacher please don't leave without saying goodbye to her [Music] foreign [Music] weird anybody not on Thomas's team know what that word means something strange creepy scary 50 Galen I like weird movies sorry Mr Cohen I know you can't go to them because you get thrown out at the movie theater well that's okay Galen boom because I can rent movies then I also like weird movies what so weird is a good word right but what if someone comes up to you and they say uh hey yo yeah you I'm talking to you you'll win is it still a good word [Music] okay everyone stay in your seats Mr cone can we go see them okay but everyone inside voices everyone line up by the door and no running yeah [Music] yes yeah yeah they will oh he's still getting along wow it looks like it some time oh I like Nancy she reminds me of your mom I don't look anything alike I'm talking about looks I'm talking about that Spar you know the spirit that uh how are things at school uh you know you got more books than bookcases roof leaks comebacks a little worried they might not ask me back next year but there's plenty of teachers with a lot more experience than me I'm proud of you regardless it doesn't feel that way why do I feel like you're still embarrassed what and it's okay Dad you can admit it you're not trying to start something no no no but you know we're talking and uh it's good so let's talk I've always been embarrassed with you I have happened even when he used to come visit me he used to squirm when all those eyeballs would click my way you've never been able to accept it you're right it is tough meeting with you sometimes I hate it when we go to restaurants and people give you those looks sometimes I want to just I just feel so helpless you know I've always been a guy who could fix things but the one thing I could never fix is the one thing that was hurting you it doesn't need fixing well nobody can fix it I know I know but Maybe it's my fault maybe I gave it to you [Music] come on guys we only got two minutes until the media center closes hurry up back there stay to the side guys stay to the side what did I tell you guys in the back come on hurry up [Music] dad what what are you uh what are you doing here said you need a bookshelf didn't you your father's built this new bookshelves for the library things will slow at the office this way gentlemen oh and I got you something for your vehicle put it on Mr Cohen [Music] a hard hat for an extremely hard hit hey class that's my dad come on come on and Hillary didn't say what this was about no idea we were at recess and she said she needs to see you in the classroom I think it might be about next year [Music] here he is Brad ah come over here a minute please Hillary has got an announcement to make some of you may have noticed an observer hanging around school the last few weeks well he was here to assess one of our teachers Mr Cohen and I'm here to announce that our very own Brad Cohen has been chosen from amongst all the new Educators in the state of Georgia to be Sallie Mae's first year teacher of the year [Applause] as I looked at my students I felt like a kid inside because children look at life differently than most adults they see the world and say I will not I can't so did I the shirt is too tight the labels it against my back it's about well these aren't second graders you know what oh man I wish I was invisible I meant something people never have to worry about it's still it's still [Music] thank you come on Bobo you can get through this don't worry he's gonna get through it the noise you just heard is the Tourette Syndrome I've been living with since I was six years old I'm standing up here today because the love and support of a lot of people put me up here my family my school family my students and all my friends I owe this award to all of them but I also owe it to the toughest and and most dedicated teacher I have ever had by constant companion my Tourette's [Music] now some of you may think that's pretty weird to thank a disability and calling it a great teacher that's really weird I mean what could I possibly learn from a disability [Music] yes Galen you learn to keep going [Applause] Eli you learned not to let us stop you yes Thomas you learn not to let it win that's right coping with my threats has taught me the most valuable lesson that anyone could ever learn and that is to never let anything stop you from chasing your dreams from working or playing falling in love that's right coping with my trans has taught me the most valuable lesson that yes Thomas can you bring that award to show and tell on Monday [Music] thank you foreign [Music] foreign [Music] thank you