Brad Cohen's Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me The Teacher I Never Had: 2007

Friday, October 12, 2007

Brad Visits East Carolina University

I had a chance to meet about 200 great future educators when I traveled to East Carolina University. As part of the Dean's Leadership Seminar, they invited me to be there keynote speaker. Not only that, but they selected Front of the Class as their summer reading assignment. I had a great experience which included an awesome reception after my presentation where I had the opportunity to meet many of the students. They were excited to share stories and experiences and I did the same. Thanks ECU for a great experience!
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-educ/teachfel/Seminars.cfm

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Big Funds Raised in ST. LOUIS with the TSA

I had the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at a major fundraiser for the TSA in St. Louis on September 8th. With 600 people attending I shared my story reminding people about the Power of ONE and how they can be that person who makes a difference in the life of another person. I also reminded them that we need for people to think positive and focus on others' strengths, and not their weaknesses.

The event raised over $400,000......not too bad for a first year event. Kudos to Myrna Myer and her committee who had a heck of an event. The press for the event was great. Kudos to everyone who helped make that event top notch!

Monday, September 03, 2007

Brad Featured in the St. Louis Post Dispatch

Feel free to read the following article:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/healthfitness/story/8A85D7B7C58D7862862573410068E027?OpenDocument

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Ron Clark Meets Brad and Nancy!

We had a chance to visit the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta and it was a great experience. Not only did we get to meet Ron Clark, but we also had a chance to see one of the neatest schools in America.

http://www.ronclarkacademy.com/

If people say the sky is the limit, then wait till you meet Ron. WHe had a dream to have a school like no other in the world. And that is what he did. There is a slide inside the building, technology all over the place, flat screen TV's in the bathroom, hidden classrooms behind bookshelves (much like Scooby Doo shows), and much more.

This middle school for grades 5-8 will be one where the students have a chance to travel around the world and have meaningful instruction. Be sure to check out the website and enjoy the pictures!

Kent County and First Day for Teachers

I had a chance to visit Kent County as their keynote speaker on the first day of school. After speaking with the superintendent of the school district, he quickly told me his goals for having me. It was to remind teachers that "Successful Learning of All Students" is our goal. And that "Everyone Can Make a Difference in the Life of a Child."

I would like to thank Mr. Pack and the other staff members I met for a great experience.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Brad meets the King of Leadership, John Maxwell!

June 4th-6th, Cobb County School District hosted their Annual Leadership Institute. The Keynote speaker this year was John Maxwell, author of several books including The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, 360 Degrees, The Difference Maker, and many more. John's speech on Leadership hit home to many of the themes I speak about. It was neat to see we were thinking along the same lines.

Cobb also gathered some of their biggest leaders including Senator Johnny Isakson to speak on leadership.

Later in the conference, I also presented a session I titled, Front of the Class, and Celebrating Abilities and Winning the Game of Life.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Brad's Presentation on the internet -PODCAST!

http://www.stlcc.edu/mc/media/disabilityawareness2007.wvx
Click here to see 35 minutes of Brad Cohen speaking

Summit on Leading Diversity

I had the chance to be one of the keynote speakers at the 2007 Summit on Leading Diversity here in Atlanta, GA. This was put on by Linkage, Inc. and they had about 700 people in attendance. This was a great event and it might have been one of my best presentations.

On this day, the group came together to learn more about diversity and bring back what they have learned to their companies. Many people from Corporate America were in attendance and they were learning a great massage.

The Linkage staff were so kind and friendly. I truly enjoyed the book signing afterwards as the people just wanted to chat with me about how my presentation impacted their lives.

St. Louis Community College, Meramec- Disability Awareness Week

WOW! What an amazing event. I had the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at St. Louis Community College's Disability Awareness Week and Awards Ceremony.

This event was great. I started of speaking and then the highlight was being a part of the awards ceremony where the students were recognized for their academic progress. It was just another chance to show people that with the right support, anyone can achieve success!

Over 300 students attended the event. It was nice to get a chance to spend time with the Access Office staff, the Focus on Ability Club members, and some of the faculty from the school.

If you'd like to here my presentation, feel free to click on the link below which will send you to my podcast on line:

http://www.stlcc.edu/mc/media/disabilityawareness2007.wvx

You may also view some more photos from the awards ceremony by clicking the link below:

http://www.bradcohen.blogspot.com/

St. Louis Community College should feel proud about the event they put together. They stand for the very best St. Louis has to offer!

As always, you can view my website to learn more about me at:

www.FrontOfTheClassBook.com

Cheers to each of you!

Brad Visits Collinsville, IL and Speaks at IAASE

I had the opportunity to speak to the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE), they had their 8th Annual Spring Conference and they invited me to be there keynote speaker and then do a more in depth look at how they can create a more positive classroom and school experience for kids with special needs. My presentation was titled, "Celebrating Abilities and Creating a Positive Attitude for All. Over 300 people were in attendance.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

PACTH Conference at Penn State University, Spring 2007

The Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship had their annual conference in State College, PA this spring. They invited me up to present to their group. The highlight of the event was at their silent auction, my co-writer Lisa and I decided to help raise some money for the group so we had them auction a breakfast with both of us and they raised over $300 from our little breakfast item. I never knew I was worth so much:) It was a real treat to attend this event. The conference was so well run and the people attending were great. Thanks!

Anderson University, April, 2007

What a treat it was to visit Anderson University and speak to the future teachers of America. It seems like they have a great education program with very support faculty. The Education Club is pictured with me here. A BIG thanks to Howard who was help organize the event. Nancy and I truly enjoyed ourselves. Cheers

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Council for Exceptional Children in Macon, Georgia

The Council for Exceptional Children invited me to their Georgia Conference where they had 300 in attendance from across the state. As their keynote lunch speaker I reminded them the power each of them have to make a difference in the life of a child. The crowd was very receptive as heads where shaking like crazy as I think they agreed with what I was saying. The event was well organized and it was an honor to be there. If you haven't been involved with the Council for Exceptional Children and you are a teacher, you might want to learn more! Thanks to Mike and Linda Weinroth for their hospitality! (Pictured Above) http://www.gacec.org/

Lexington, Kentucky and the Kentucky Wildcats!

Here I was the Keynote to open up the conference. I spoke to over 800 speech teachers. This was the 50th anniversary of KSHA-Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference. What a great event and great people in attendance. This conference was well run and I really enjoyed sharing my story. I knew they enjoyed it as at the end, a standing ovation was given. As a perk, I was able to see the Kentucky Wildcats play basketball in Rupp Arena. What a trip! Basketball is a life long tradition in Kentucky and it was great seeing the Wildcats get a win at home!

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Capital One Here I Come!

In February, I was invited to be the keynote motivational speaker at the Hands On Risk Management Meeting outside of Washington, D.C. Capital One brought in leaders from around the U.S. and beyond to attend a one day conference discussing the direction of the company. They brought me in to make the connection that no matter how hard the challenges may be, you can do it. My job was to remind the attendees to reach their goals and go beyond much like I have done in my life.

I focused on the 3 P's! Passion, Positive Attitudes, and Perseverance! It doesn't matter what profession you are in....if you understand the importance of these three qualities, you will be successful....just look at the way I live my life!

Thanks Capital One!

London Bridges are NOT Falling Down!

Nancy and I had an opportunity to visit London, England in January to shoot some footage for an upcoming docummentary on "Tourette in the Workforce." The producers came to me and asked if I'd be willing to share my story for their show. They came to the U.S. and filmed me in Atlanta, and then we went to London to get more footage with the kids from Sunbourne Elementary School. The experience was amazing as we got a chance to both film and enjoy London.

This docummentary is set to air in England in March or April 2007. They are still trying to sell the rights to a channel like TLC or Discovery Channel in the U.S. More to come I am sure!

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

It's Time to Speak to the Speech Teachers

I had a chance to speak to the Cobb County speech teachers as they invited me to be a guest speaker at their In-Service. I had a chance to share my story and remind the teachers that although they are not a regular education classroom teacher, they are still making a difference in the lives of those special children. Many kids with disabilities just want to be like everyone else. When they struggle in the big classroom, they look for success and positive situations in different areas. That is when a speech teacher can step up and make a world of difference for that child. Overall, let that child feel special! Cheers

Dallas, Texas- Region 10 Education Service Center

I had a chance to visit Dallas, Texas and present a half day seminar to educators and families of children with TS. I focused on my story and then I gave strategies as how educators can help students who are a little different. If our main goal as educators is to help the student become successful, then it is important that we as educators understand what it is that makes kids struggle. As I shared my story, it helped the people in the room get a better sense of what needed to be done. Strategies for the classroom and life will help these special kids succeed!
Cheers

ACLD-Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities

I headed to New York to be the keynote speaker at the 2006 Employment Recognition Breakfast for the ACLD. This breakfast presentation was focusing on giving people a chance despite their disabilities. There are thousands of people in our cities who want to be like everyone else and have a job. I remember how I felt when I first started teaching. I also recall how much pain I went through just to get that job. Employers gathered to both recognize the efforts of their employees and also remind people to take a risk and hire some people just because it is the right thing to do. There are so many different types of jobs out there that in many cases there is a job for everyone. Sorry, no pictures came out:( Cheers

UNC-Charlotte - 2006 Teaching Fellows Junior Conference

Another visit to North Carolina and it was just as good as the others. I had a chance to once again speak to the future teachers. The 400 students were a great audience for my closing keynote address and many of them had already read my book. Thanks for laughing at my jokes:) Cheers

HALL COUNTY School System Invites Brad to Speak to the New Teachers!

In July, I had a chance to speak to about 250 new teachers in Hall County. Hall County is located in Gainsville, Georgia just outside of Atlanta. In this keynote address, I reminded them about the difference they will make as a teacher. This is one of my favorite presentations because I'm so passionate about teachers making a difference in the lives of kids. All it takes is for ONE person to make a difference in the life of a child!

Brad Cohen's Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me The Teacher I Never Had