EMMY AWARD WINNER PATRICIA HEATON ("EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND"), TREAT WILLIAMS AND JIMMY WOLK STAR IN "FRONT OF THE CLASS," A NEW "HALLMARK HALL OF FAME" PRESENTATION TO BE BROADCAST SUNDAY, DEC. 7 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

FRONT OF THE CLASS, a new "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation starring Emmy Award winner Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), Treat Williams ("Everwood") and Jimmy Wolk ("The Spiral Project"), to be broadcast Sunday, Dec. 7 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The drama is based on the true story of Brad Cohen (Wolk) who, after being challenged by Tourette Syndrome from a very young age, defies all odds to become a gifted teacher.

As a child, Brad Cohen was teased and ridiculed because of the disruptive sounds and sudden jerking movements he could not control. Teachers and other adults, including his own father, thought he was just trying to get attention, unaware that he suffered from a disability that he was helpless to change. It was not until his condition was correctly diagnosed that a school principal finally understood what was really going on and used a school assembly to educate the faculty and students. Following that event, Brad began to win their understanding and acceptance.

The experience led Brad to decide to become the teacher he never had so that he could help others become more tolerant of those who are different from themselves. But, he still had obstacles to overcome before his goal could be attained.

Patricia Heaton plays Brad's mother, Ellen. Treat Williams plays Brad's father, Norman. Dominic Scott Kay ("Pirates of the Caribbean") plays Brad as a youngster.

Patricia Heaton won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the CBS series "Everybody Loves Raymond" twice, and was nominated five additional times during the series' run. Her other television credits include the series "Back to You," "Party of Five," "Women of the House" and "thirtysomething." She was also seen in the television movies "The Path to 9/11," "The Engagement Ring," "The Goodbye Girl" and "Miracle in the Woods."

Treat Williams starred in the television series "Everwood" and "Heartland," and he had a recurring role in "Brothers & Sisters." His other television credits include the movies "The Staircase Murders," "Guilty Hearts," "Gale Force" and "Hopewell." He was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards, two for the feature films "Prince of the City" and "Hair," and for the television movie "A Streetcar Named Desire."

Jimmy Wolk guest starred on the daytime dramas "Guiding Light," on the Network, and "As The World Turns." He was seen in the feature films "The Spiral Project" and "14 Mile." He graduated from the University of Michigan where he starred in theatrical productions of "The Laramie Project," "You Can't Take It With You" and the "Arthur Miller Celebration."

FRONT OF THE CLASS was produced by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions. Brent Shields ("Sweet Nothing in My Ear," "Pictures of Hollis Woods") and Tim Shriver ("The Ringer," "Still We Believe: The Boston Red Sox Movie") are the executive producers; Andrew Gottlieb ("The Russell Girl," "Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness") is the producer. Peter Werner ("Aunt Mary," "Ghost Whisperer") directed from a script by Tom Rickman ("Tuesdays with Morrie," "The Reagans") based on the book of the same title by Brad Cohen with Lisa Wysocky.

RATING: To Be Announced