Front of the Class Page #9

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from amongst all the new educators in the state of

Georgia to be Sallie Mae's First Year Teacher of the Year.

As I looked at my students, I felt like a kid inside.

Because children look at life differently

than most audits.

They see the world and say, I will.

Not I can't. And so did l.

This shirt's too tight. The label's digging in my back...

I cut out the label. I don't know what you're so nervous about.

You're in front of a crowd every day.

Well, these aren't second-graders.

Now...

Oh, man, I wish I was invisible.

Well, that is something you'll never have to worry about.

Hold still, hold still!

I love you.

Go, Mr. Cohen!

Come on, Bobo, you can get through this

Don't worry. He's going to 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 ever had:

my Constant Companion. My Tourette's.

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?

Yes, Gaylon.

You learned to keep going.

Eli?

You learned to not let it stop you.

Yes, Thomas.

You learned to not let it win!

That's right.

Coping with my Tourette's has taught me

the most valuable lesson that anyone could ever learn:

And that is to never let anything

stop you from chasing your dream

from working or playing or falling in love.

That's right.

Coping with my Tourette's has taught me

the most valuable lesson...

Yes, Thomas.

Can you bring that award

to show and tell on Monday?

You bet.

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