MYPOST 7: What is the movie that you watched currently? What is the takeaway lessons?

Currently, I have watched a movie about “Front of the class.” Front of the class is a 2008 film which is directed by Peter Werner. This movie is based on a true story. Brad Cohen, who has Tourette Syndrome (TS) since he was young. When he was young, due to the people around lack of awareness about this syndrome, he always gets scolded by his teachers and father due to his sudden weird sound and movement. Meanwhile, he cannot control it because it is a kind of tics disorder. One day, he is sent to the principal office due to his teacher complains his class disruptive. The principal does not scold him and invites him to attend a school concert. Before the end of the concert, the principal invites him to stage and let him explain about the reasons for doing the disruptive. After Brad’s explanation about his TS, the whole school understands that it is a syndrome and his difficulty. From that day, Brad wishes to become a teacher in order to educate people aware of this syndrome and don’t give up about reaching success.

In order to pursue his dream as a teacher, he has applied for job as an elementary teacher at different areas. Unfortunately, he has been rejected 24 times from different schools due to his syndrome. He almost lost hope and giving up due to many times rejection. In order to protect his son, his father advises him to go to his own construction site as a worker. Nevertheless, Brad never giving up and start to look for an elementary teacher job from different schools. Finally, due to his perseverance, Brad has got a job as an elementary teacher. Although Brad has become a teacher at elementary school, he faces criticism from students and parents due to his TS. Nevertheless, Brad still has a passion for teaching. Eventually, Brad earns a Teacher of the year award at Georgia. Currently, Brad Cohen is an American motivational speaker, teacher, writer, and school administrator.

After I have watched this movie, the takeaway lessons to me are as follow:

Have a vision

After I watch the movie, I think have a vision is very important for us to achieve success. This is because if we have a vision, we will know where to find the resources, explore relevant skills and knowledge to cultivate ourselves, and plan the action and strategy to fulfill our vision. For example, in order to become a teacher, Brad Cohen earns a degree, join every related interview session in order to get the school job, teaching students with his enthusiasm, and have never given up attitude on every situation that he faced although he has TS. Therefore, forming a vision can determine how far we go and it also acts as a full picture for us to understand the purpose of living.

Keep believing

Keep believing good things will come can make you have a positive attitude towards living. Instead of having a negative thought, believe yourself can do it by working hard to make it happens can bring positive outcomes in return. Brad Cohen had been rejected by 20 schools because of his TS. His father persuades him to go to his construction as a worker so that he can protect him. Nevertheless, Brad Cohen refuses his father and keeps believing himself can become a teacher by searching for another school. Finally, he got a job offer as teacher at Georgia. This story shows that, when we see that the outcome is not within our expectations, we should patience and having faith in the future because success is a journey, it needs time and patience.

Don’t complain and give excuses, learn to accept and change

Certain of the people prefer to complain and give excuses while something is not working out rather than change themselves. I failed a test because the test is difficult, I cannot get the job because there are many candidates apply the job, and I cannot achieve the goal because of lack of resources and time. Instead of complaining and giving excuses, we need to learn to accept and change the circumstance. For example, Brad Cohen has Tourette syndrome, due to this reason, he can complain the world is not fair and give excuses that he cannot become a teacher due to his tics. However, he never put TS as his limitation to achieve his goal, he accepts the reality and keeps improving himself in teaching methods so that he can become a good teacher in front of students by sharing his knowledge. Today, he is an American motivational speaker, teacher, author, and school administrator.

In conclusion, “Front of the class” movie lets me understand that if you working hard for something, success will come to you because of your perseverance. Don’t feel frustrated if you face failure again. When people said you cannot do something, never spend your time arguing with them and prove to them you can do it by actions. Always find the right way to release your stress and tension and keep encouraging yourself can break through the problem. Lastly, don’t let fear and failure become obstacles to achieve success and learn to get over them by having the right attitude.