"I wanted to be that teacher that I never had. And that was my dream. I wanted to be the teacher that focused on kids' strengths, not weaknesses." Those words come from a book called Front of the Class, written by Brad Cohen, a teacher in Atlanta, Georgia. The book, which was also made into a movie, tells Brad's story of how he followed his dream, and the obstacles he overcame to realize it. In fact, there was one enormous obstacle in particular that first arose during his childhood.
「我想成為那位我未曾有過的老師。那是我的夢想。我想成為專注於孩子們長處的老師，而不是弱點。」那些話來自一本名為《叫我第一名》的書，由 Brad Cohen 所撰寫，喬治亞州亞特蘭大的一位老師。這本書也被拍成電影，講述 Brad 如何追逐夢想的故事，以及他為了實現夢想所克服的障礙。事實上，在他童年時，特別有一個首次出現的大障礙。
While at elementary school, Brad developed an embarrassing problem. He started having sudden twitches that he could do nothing to prevent. He also occasionally made grunting noises, or shouted out words that got him into trouble. He was even thrown out of class a couple of times. Eventually, his problem was identified as Tourette Syndrome, a condition of the central nervous system.
在小學時，Brad 漸漸有一個令人困窘的問題。他開始產生突然、且沒有辦法加以防止的抽搐。他偶爾也會發出咕嚕咕嚕的噪音，或是大聲喊出讓他陷入麻煩的話。他甚至曾被轟出課堂好幾次。最終，他的問題被鑑定為妥瑞氏症，這是中樞神經系統的一種症狀。
When Brad was growing up in the 1980s, most people had never heard of Tourette Syndrome. They mostly reacted negatively to Brad's behavior. He was teased and bullied in school, and the lack of support and understanding among his teachers was hurtful. "My teacher made me get up in front of the class and apologize to everybody for the noises I was making," Brad recalls. It was the negative experience that made him decide to be a teacher. What's more, he wanted to become the type of teacher who understood students with his condition.
當 Brad 在 1980 年代成長時，大多數人從未聽過妥瑞氏症。他們通常對 Brad 的行為做出負面反應。他在學校遭到戲弄和霸凌，而老師間缺乏支持和理解相當傷人。Brad 回憶說：「我的老師叫我站在全班面前，為我製造的噪音向所有人道歉。」就是這種負面經驗使他決定成為一名教師。此外，他想成為那種了解有同樣疾病學生的教師類型。
After graduating from university and getting a teaching qualification, Brad moved to Atlanta in search of work as an elementary school teacher. He had many interviews with school administrators, but his Tourette symptoms always made an unwelcome appearance. He was rejected by 24 schools before the principal of a school in Cobb County, Georgia hired him to teach the second and third grades.
從大學畢業並獲得教師資格後，Brad 搬到亞特蘭大，尋找小學教師的工作。他接受許多學校行政主管的面試，但他的妥瑞氏症症狀總是不被樂見。在喬治亞州科布郡的一所學校校長聘用他教二、三年級前，他被二十四所學校拒絕。
Brad's passion for teaching and concern for his students quickly won their respect and admiration. He also made sure that Tourette Syndrome didn't get in the way by explaining it to his classes at the beginning of each year. In time, he won teaching awards and eventually became an administrator himself, supervising other teachers. He wrote the book to describe his experiences and offer encouragement to other Tourette sufferers.
Brad 對教學的熱情和對學生的關懷很快贏得他們的尊重和欽佩。每學年開始的時候，他也會向他的班級進行說明，保證妥瑞氏症不會妨礙課程。不久後，他贏得教學獎項，最後自己還成為行政主管，督導其他老師。他寫這本書來描述他的經歷，並鼓勵其他妥瑞氏症患者。
There is no cure for Tourette Syndrome, but Brad Cohen has learned to live with it. His effort and determination have taken him along a career path that few people believed would suit him. By being open and honest about his disorder, Brad hopes to instill confidence in children that may feel different and show them they can still be successful. In Brad's own words, "I want these children to say, 'If Mr. Cohen can do it, then so can I.'"
妥瑞氏症是無法治癒的，不過 Brad Cohen 已經學會與此病和平共存。他的努力和決心使他走上一條幾乎無人認為會適合他的職業道路。藉由公開且坦誠面對他的病症，Brad 希望以此向那些感覺自己異於常人的孩子灌輸信心，向他們證明，成功依舊可期。套用 Brad 自己的話來說：「我希望這些孩子說出：『若 Cohen 先生能做到，那我也可以。』」
- obstacle [ˋɑbstək!] n.
障礙（物），妨礙
With hard work and determination, you can overcome any obstacle along your path.
憑藉努力與決心，你可以克服途中任何阻礙。 - enormous [ɪˋnɔrməs] adj.
巨大的，龐大的
Because of the typhoon, there has been an enormous amount of rain in the last 24 hours.
由於有颱風，過去 24 小時內就有很大的雨量。 - arise [əˋraɪz] v.
產生，出現
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss a problem that has arisen quite recently
這個會議的目的是要討論一個滿最近才出現的問題。 - develop [dɪˋvɛləp] v.
患（病），逐漸產生；發展
Brian's high fat diet caused him to develop heart disease.
Brian 的高脂肪飲食使他罹患心臟疾病。
The disease develops slowly, but in time it affects most of the body's muscles.
這種疾病發展得比較慢，但隨著時間它會影響人體大部分的肌肉。
Our company needs to develop a new plan for increasing its market share.
我們公司需要發展新的計畫，來增加市場占有率。 - development [dɪˋvɛləpmənt] n.
發展
Samantha is involved in the development of a new gaming app for smartphones.
Samantha 參與了一個新手遊的開發。 - eventually [ɪˋvɛntʃʊəlɪ] adv.
最後，終於
Though she was severely injured in the car crash, Sue eventually made a full recovery.
雖然 Sue 在車禍中受了重傷，但她最後有完全復原。 - eventual [ɪˋvɛntʃʊəl] adj.
最終的，最後的
You need to be patient because the eventual profit on your investment will be worth waiting for.
你必須有耐心一點，因為你投資的最終獲益是值得等待的。 - condition [kənˋdɪʃən] n.
（健康）狀況，症狀；情況
The doctor told us that Grandpa's condition was getting worse and that he needed an operation.
醫生跟我們說爺爺的健康狀況正在惡化，他需要手術。
If the product is not in good condition when you receive it, please return it to get your money back.
如果收到產品時的狀況不良好，請將它退回以便退款。 - behavior [bɪˋhevjɚ] n.
行為，舉止
Jonathan's poor behavior and rudeness to his teachers led to the school calling his parents.
Jonathan 對老師的不當行為與無禮導致學校要打電話給他父母。 - behave [bɪˋhev] v.
表現（得⋯⋯）；守規矩
I was impressed by how well Mary's two small children behaved during dinner.
Mary 的兩個小孩在晚餐時的表現讓我印象很深。
If you two don't start behaving yourselves, you will have to leave this library.
如果你們兩個不開始守規矩一點，你們就必須離開圖書館。 - tease [tiz] v.
戲弄，開玩笑
Teddy keeps teasing his sister by putting her toys where she can't find them.
Teddy 一直在捉弄他妹妹，把她的玩具放到她找不到的地方。
I'm sure Philip was only teasing and didn't mean to upset anyone.
我相信 Philip 只是在開玩笑，無意惹怒任何人。 - apologize [əˋpɑlə͵dʒaɪz] v.
道歉
Have you apologized to Sarah for neglecting to invite her to your party?
你有為了沒邀請 Sarah 來派對而跟她道歉了嗎？ - apology [əˋpɑlədʒɪ] n.
道歉
I guess I owe you an apology. I'm really sorry for those mean things I said.
我想我欠你一個道歉。我很抱歉對你說了那些苛薄的話。 - graduate [ˋgrædʒʊ͵et] v.
畢業
Joshua graduated from Harvard with a degree in economics.
Joshua 畢業於哈佛，拿到經濟學的學位。 - graduation [͵grædʒʊˋeʃən] n.
畢業
After graduation, do you plan to study for a Master's right away or find a job first?
畢業之後，你計畫要馬上唸碩士還是先找一份工作呢？ - qualification [͵kwɑləfəˋkeʃən] n.
資格證書；資格
When Edward completes this course, he will have a useful qualification in information technology.
當 Edward 修完這門課，他會在資訊科技方面擁有一份很有用的資格證書。
With her excellent language skills and years of experience, Lucy has the right qualifications to do this job.
Lucy 具有出色的語言能力和多年經驗，因此具備勝任這份工作的適當資格。 - qualify [ˋkwɑlə͵faɪ] v.
取得資格；使具備資格
Judith has been studying to be an accountant, and she expects to qualify this year.
Judith 為了成為一名會計師而唸書，她預計今年會取得資格認證。
Passing the test will qualify you for entry to a management position.
通過考試將使你有資格應徵管理職位。 - interview [ˋɪntɚ͵vju] n.
（求職）面談；採訪
Dominic got a letter from a software company inviting him to a job interview next week.
Dominic 收到一封來自軟體公司的信，邀請他下週來公司面試。
The pop star walked out of the TV interview because she didn't like the personal questions she was being asked.
這個明星從電視採訪中離去，因為她不喜歡她被問到的私人問題。 - interview [ˋɪntɚ͵vju] v.
（求職）面試；採訪
After they interviewed me, I felt sure I would get the job, but I didn't.
在他們面試完我之後，我有把握會得到那份工作，但結果沒有。
My classmate's mother, who is a well-known politician, was interviewed on Channel Five last night.
我同學的媽媽是一個有名的政治人物，昨天晚上在第五台接受採訪。 - administrator [ədˋmɪnə͵stretɚ] n.
主管，管理者
Mr. Davis is an excellent administrator who is in charge of the company's financial division.
Davis 先生是位很優秀的主管，負責公司的財務部門。 - principal [ˋprɪnsəp!] n.
校長
After teaching for more than twenty years at the same high school, Mrs. Johnson became the principal.
在同一間學校教書教了超過二十年之後，Johnson 太太成為了校長。 - principal [ˋprɪnsəp!] adj.
主要的，首要的
It is believed that the factory is the principal source of toxic waste found in the local rivers.
據信，這間工廠就是當地河流中有毒排放物的主要來源。 - admiration [͵ædməˋreʃən] n.
欽佩，讚賞
Pauline sent a letter to her favorite author to express her admiration for his latest novel.
Pauline 寄了一封信給她最愛的作家，並表達自己對他最新的小說的欽佩。 - admire [ədˋmaɪr] v.
欽佩，讚賞
We all admire our teacher for her professional knowledge and friendly attitude.
我們都很欽佩我們的老師，因為她有專業的知識，態度又很親切。 - supervise [ˋsupɚvaɪz] v.
監督，管理
When she works at the nursing home, Kay supervises elderly people taking part in leisure activities.
Kay 在護理之家工作時負責管理年長者的休閒活動。
The class leader was asked to supervise while the teacher was out of the room.
班長被要求要在老師不在教室時監督全班。 - describe [dɪˋskraɪb] v.
描述，敘述
After his return from South America, Tony described his adventures in the Amazon rainforest to us.
Tony 從南美洲回來之後，和我們描述了自己在亞馬遜雨林中的冒險。 - description [dɪˋskrɪpʃən] n.
描寫，敘述
Benjamin gave us a lively description of his trip to Australia last summer.
Benjamin 活靈活現地描述了他去年夏天的澳洲之旅。
The first time I saw it, I felt the painting was so beautiful that it was beyond description.
我第一次看到這幅畫作時，就覺得它美到難以言喻。 - offer [ˋɔfɚ] v.
給予，提供
The first thing Alex did when I arrived at his home was offer me some coffee.
我到達 Alex 家後，他做的第一件事情就是給我一些咖啡。 - offer [ˋɔfɚ] n.
提供
The company has made Terry an offer of a job, and he's going to accept it.
這個公司已經提供了 Terry 一份工作職缺，而他會接受這份工作。 - disorder [dɪsˋɔrdɚ] n.
失調，不適；混亂
Shirley has lost a lot of weight and may be suffering from an eating disorder.
Shirley 瘦了好多，她可能患了飲食失調方面的問題。
Our travel plans are in disorder because there is a typhoon coming.
因為颱風將至，我們的旅行計畫被打得一團亂。 - instill [ɪnˋstɪl] v.
灌輸（思想等）
A bad experience in childhood instilled a lifelong fear of dogs in Catherine.
童年不好的經驗讓 Catherine 一生對狗都感到恐懼。 - a couple of
兩個，數個
Veronica spent a couple of hours studying English in the library this afternoon.
Veronica 今天下午在圖書館花了幾個小時唸英文。 - what's more
甚且，再者
You are late again. What's more, you still haven't handed in your report.
你又遲到了。此外，你還是沒有繳交你的報告。 - in search of
尋找
At the start of the vacation, Henry visited several restaurants in search of a part-time job.
假期一開始，Henry 就拜訪了一些餐廳，要尋找打工。 - make sure
確認
Make sure you lock all the doors and windows before you leave the house.
離開家之前務必要鎖上門窗。 - get in the way
妨礙，阻止
Jeff's habit of playing computer games all night is getting in the way of his schoolwork.
Jeff 整夜打電動的習慣耽誤了他的課業。 - in time
後來，而後
I know this new environment seems strange to you, but you will get used to it in time.
我知道新環境對你來說很陌生，但你之後就會適應的。 - live with
接受，容忍（疾病）
Nobody can truly understand this kind of mental problem unless they have to live with it.
沒有人能真正了解這類的心理問題，除非他們與之共存。 - in one's own words
用（某人）自己的話說
Write the answers in your own words. Don't quote from the text.
用自己的話寫出答案。不要引用文章的句子。
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