Personal: Married to Nancy. Volunteer Work: Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, Tourette Syndrome Association, Twitch and Shout Adventure Week. Favorite Quote: "Make a difference one day at a time." Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Bradley University. Master’s Degree, Georgia State University.
Brad Cohen describes himself as "far from remarkable," but his story is far from average. The 35-year-old educator from St. Louis has battled Tourette Syndrome since he was a child, often finding himself shunned or ostracized by both students and teachers. Not one to let naysayers keep him down, Cohen set out on a quest to change perceptions and education. A rare chance in middle school to explain his condition to his peers became the catalyst for Cohen to do something truly remarkable. "It was then that I realized I wanted to be the teacher I never had." Opportunity doesn't always knock. Cohen was rejected 24 times in his attempts to land a teaching job, but the word "quit" is not in this particular teacher's vocabulary. Not only did he earn a teaching position at Mountain View Elementary, but in his first year teaching he was named the Sallie Mae First Class Teacher of the Year. Cohen's career has come full circle. He now supervises other teachers in Cobb County, training them to be patient and compassionate even with students who challenge them. Cohen's influence has spread far beyond Cobb County. In 2005 he penned "Front Of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had". The book was turned into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that aired on CBS and was viewed by 12 million people. Cohen’s story caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey, and landed the educator on her show in 2006.
