Every day, like you, I receive e-mails. People contact me each day as a court reporter, CART provider, instructor, tutor, and author of NCRA, written knowledge test, "WKT" test prep material. Like you, I'm working to ensure we have an accurate record and to give back. My goal is to serve others.
Sometimes I receive an e-mail stinger. I may "see" frustration; I may address that.
But there are many e-mails where I giggle. I understand we're working hard, probably too hard.
Today's goal: If this article gifts you with new information, a smile, a giggle, ending with my "memory-moment," I'll have done my job -- today -- for tomorrow.
You can embrace this technology, become embraced by a new world; one that expands each day, as we share our skills, listening to those who teach us - our consumers.
Please refer to my NCRA JCR online articles within the CART Special Interest Area (members only, per NCRA) for previous questions and answers.
To further assist you, part I, II, III, IV and V and many articles that I’ve written about my experiences with CART and deaf/Deaf and HOH (hard of hearing) topics are online at http://www.catapultdix.com/ and Monette's Musings, http://www.monettebenoit.com/.
30. "What is oral deaf? Does that mean they talk clearly, but can't hear?"
The person is deaf and does not sign. A person chooses not to use sign language. If you're new to CART, it's not "aural" deaf. While the audience giggles, reporters blush if they were not aware of the phrase beforehand.
31. "Why would they choose not to sign?"
A person with hearing loss may choose to read lips. The age at which hearing loss begins is an important factor in the choice. Some oral deaf may become deaf early in life. A parent helps with the decision, perhaps with a teacher, doctor or audiologist. Most oral deaf that I know made the decision with their mother.
I know a very successful (high profile) businessman who refuses to learn sign or read lips, asking others "to write it down." (He hands me his paper and pencil each time.)
I asked why he didn't read lips or sign. He answered, "I don't want to."
I threw my head back and laughed.
Others were horrified that I had even asked this question. But I had an opportunity to engage in a wonderful, honest conversation; I learned a lot from the gentleman. And the moment that was missed by almost everyone who was standing there when I initially asked my question was he thanked me for asking. After he shared, he leaned over, shook my hand and thanked me. I tapped his shoulder and gently nodded. I get it.
Many oral deaf make the decision early in their deafness to try to get along without sign.
The Deaf worlds are very different from oral deaf: this culture of individuality and its social and professional settings often help to define the decision. Yet the majority of my oral-deaf friends do not know any sign. Since I can tease them, as they tease me, I may sign, as we chat, "turning voice-box off." (Voice-box is an important term to know and to have in your vocabulary.)
Again, one's knowledge and acceptance within deaf culture will enhance and/or halt this truth in communication.
32. "I'm interested in CART. How can I learn?"
Seminars are held at state and national conventions. CARTWheel was organized by Gayl Hardeman to act as a guidepost for families and people with hearing challenges. The site (www.CARTWheel.cc) has grown with a group of leaders, pioneers and professionals who share information among professional members, apprentice members, and within legal, educational, religious and business arenas. NCRA has a CART Special Interest Area at cart.NCRAonline.org.
Read articles, prep, read, and get to know thee consumer.
You will be thanked and will learn buckets of information at the feet of the masters. This community has been wonderful embracing me - the Deaf, deaf, oral deaf, hard of hearing. Truly. Since 1993, from the trenches, I am thanked over and over for simply bearing witness and for serving to their needs, to their requests. I do not work to define what 'they' need without consulting with 'they' -- as it should be.
33. "I have a job just waiting for me to CART. If I can learn how much to charge, the job's there, so I need you to tell me how much to charge, so I can provide this service." Another question: "I'm looking to CART/ caption on the side. I need national rates. Break it down by one-on-one or group rates - that'd be good to know, too."
Each reporter needs to know the community. One CART provider often writes longer periods of time than team sign interpreters, and we may share an ASCII disk, verbatim translation of the job request.
Amounts vary for our services, but I can pick up the phone, learning rates in any region. So should you, after learning the culture(s) in your area.
34. "Help! You need to phone me at (long distance) tomorrow around 9 or 10. I need advice to handle clients and lots of other stuff. I've attended many of your sessions on CART when you spoke at the national convention. My e-mail doesn't work, please call!"
Hmmm. I replied, via e-mail that "doesn't work," but was sent via e-mail: I don't know your time zone, state, full name, qualifications or enough specifics to be helpful.
35. "I'm interested in starting a CART business. Do you own one? I need to pick someone's brain!" Please see previous 34 questions and answers.
36. "Can you provide me with all your fees, including all marketing plans?"
Gee, I don't think so.
I end here, in serious times, sharing a Deaf joke. "It's funny when you get a prank call through TTY (telephone for the Deaf) and try to figure out who the caller is by speed of typing, choice of words and English language."
Those that understand Deaf culture just smiled. If I need to explain this, it's not funny.
Come, join us; you'll smile, promise. My "filled with wonder" memory was gifted from a Big-D friend.
I cherish the honesty, so pure: "Monette, you see why friendship means so much? You know how people say earthly treasures don't matter cause you can't have them in heaven? Well, I will get to also have them in heaven."
"I want to talk with Jesus. I think that will be one cool conversation. Hey, I will get to talk to Him verbally, and He can talk to me normal there, 'cause I will get to hear there. Yup, that will definitely be such a cool thing."
Thanks for permitting me to share moments that pause my world to sparkle with wonder at what tomorrow may bring.
And I humbly ask each of you: Do you have wonder and excitement in your work?
CART opens new doors and opportunities each day. Truly.
And yes, you have my permission to share my articles. One set of ears, one set of hands at a time. And I still swear learning theory was the hardest thing I ever did. Placing the steno machine on the tiny tripod comes in a close second.
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state "WKT" RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part IV of VII
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part IV of VII
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Comments to my CART FAQ articles continue to percolate. So shall my responses.
The following are questions I work to address pro bono as we move forward within our careers. To further assist you, Part I, II and III and many articles that I’ve written about my experiences with CART and deaf topics are online at http://www.catapultdix.com/ and Monette's Musings, http://www.monettebenoit.com/.
When I attended the national NCRA convention in New Orleans to learn, to see old buddies, to greet new friends, I listened to many individuals who stated they wanted and needed to share with me as an experienced court reporter, tutor and CART provider.
Many people are motivated, energized and ready to move forward. Some are angry and frustrated. I'm convinced that where you are depends on how you stay up with technology.
Those "frustrated" (their words) admitted they do not have the skills, knowledge or attitude to move forward. Those excited for the future created time to become familiarized with where they want to go. I share questions I received. Numbers 25-28, sadly, I've heard many times.
25. "Can I practice on college students? I need to learn how to provide CART."
I was asked this so often, I picked up the mic during a NCRA, National Court Reporters Association, panel seminar, and from the panel seat in front of the room, I replied, "Hell, no," and dropped the mic on the table. It bounced.
We need to be very careful where we practice. Practicing "on" anyone who is relying upon our professional skills for an education, grade, degree, job or minutes is inappropriate.
We can practice in our home or the back of a room (perhaps at a public meeting or in a church), with the screen down. When people approach to view and/or purchase a transcript, the practicing reporter/student should be very careful.
This is their first impression of you - one long remembered.
Usually, movers and shakers attend meetings to advance their rights. It would be unwise to share work you believe to be inferior to the minutes of any meeting. (Even if they say it's okay to have untranslates, trust me, they remember.)
Just as theory students wouldn't think about practicing (sharing a screen or record) in court, CART providers must work toward their goal. Time invested into the goal benefits everyone - you, most of all.
26. "Can I practice in church?"
Again, practice depends on where you are. If you're practicing within a church, screen down, reach for heaven and the stars. If you're practicing and learning on a large screen or television, people relying on your skills may not receive "the Word of God."
I learned in the corner, screen down. After several months, I moved forward with my practice. Skills depend on practice.
Most church terms are not within a court reporter's dictionary. I was humbled many a time. I excelled in learning how to fingerspell on the fly (in realtime), and I added thousands of words into my dictionary before I went up on the screen.
I built my skills. This assisted everyone dependent upon my large screen during a mass dedicated to Catholic Deaf to "hear" God's Word.
I received so many requests on this topic from working captioners, we developed a specific tool to assist religious writers. Volume E, Universal Religions Interactive CD has 40,000 terms for the ‘CATapult Your Dictionary’ CD series to assist people preparing for this path. (This CD and others are listed at http://www.catapultdix.com/.)
27. "I'm too busy to read the JCR. I'm only here for CE points. How do I learn CART, then CART remotely to the Net? I may have clients requesting this service soon."
Everyone has to eat lunch. Everyone sits at traffic lights, in bank parking lots. Time is there. There are many opportunities to learn how to do CART. State and national conventions have CART seminars. To not attend seminars that teach how to provide this service is truly sad in my opinion.
I wouldn't even consider CARTing to the Internet without extra hands, phone lines, equipment and technical expertise. Yes, there are some who CART remotely without extra hands, but each will share they've had problems. Lines go down; equipment problems occur; technical issues arise.
I wouldn't even consider doing a remote job without technical assistance. Writing to the Internet is a job for advanced CART providers. You will have problems working jobs when you're not seated next to your consumer/audience. Every captioner has an engineer, so should CART providers. For those who have prepared and have learned the CART remote ropes, the sky's the limit!
28. "How much does it pay?" Please see my previous answers.
29. "I'm a CART provider and was contacted by someone who may Baker Act (commit) a deaf person. The reporters with the contract do not do CART. I'm concerned about the deaf person, their rights. Someone advised: 'God takes care of people.' Should I let them work this out?"
I came to a complete halt in my work and immediately phoned this reporter, saying softly, "God does not want the deaf person to get a poor job." Then I spoke honestly and thanked this professional for reaching out to me prior to accepting this job.
Oh, my gosh! We're guardians of the record; professionals that people look to for accuracy.
We must know when to reach out and request guidance and additional help. If someone is going to provide CART for a deaf person in any setting, that reporter must be qualified.
Are they Deaf, deaf, oral, hard-of-hearing or early deafened?
To provide realtime for any deaf or hard-of-hearing person, we must determine if the person needs a sign interpreter and/or CART provider. If the person's first language is sign language, then it's usually the interpreter. If the person is asked, we need to honor their choice.
Mike O'Donnell is "a deaf professional involved in the field of communication accessibility services over 13 years." He's a gifted man, owning Com Access, Bethesda, MD. His logo: Where Communication Barrier Has No Place.
Mike attends our NCRA conventions, works with CART providers and uses sign interpreters to assist him. He reached out to us. We need to embrace his knowledge and hear about the personal experiences he and others have had. They live with moments we can only read and write about.
We sat next to each other at the New Orleans presidential banquet. During dinner, when I signed, "My brother died one year ago tonight," Mike took my hands, bowed his head and signed (said) a prayer to God for my brother. My world stood still -- again -- and I felt blessed for being embraced in this community and the trenches.
Mike has earned my respect for his commitment to all of us working together. May this be so, always.
I wish you a blessed path - in realtime - as you read this. Let's reach out and share in realtime one set of ears, one set of hands at a time.
And yes, you have my permission to share my articles. My online articles are preserved under the CART Special Interest Group, http://cart.ncraonline.org/, http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.monettebenoit.com/.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR "Written Knowledge Exam" Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Comments to my CART FAQ articles continue to percolate. So shall my responses.
The following are questions I work to address pro bono as we move forward within our careers. To further assist you, Part I, II and III and many articles that I’ve written about my experiences with CART and deaf topics are online at http://www.catapultdix.com/ and Monette's Musings, http://www.monettebenoit.com/.
When I attended the national NCRA convention in New Orleans to learn, to see old buddies, to greet new friends, I listened to many individuals who stated they wanted and needed to share with me as an experienced court reporter, tutor and CART provider.
Many people are motivated, energized and ready to move forward. Some are angry and frustrated. I'm convinced that where you are depends on how you stay up with technology.
Those "frustrated" (their words) admitted they do not have the skills, knowledge or attitude to move forward. Those excited for the future created time to become familiarized with where they want to go. I share questions I received. Numbers 25-28, sadly, I've heard many times.
25. "Can I practice on college students? I need to learn how to provide CART."
I was asked this so often, I picked up the mic during a NCRA, National Court Reporters Association, panel seminar, and from the panel seat in front of the room, I replied, "Hell, no," and dropped the mic on the table. It bounced.
We need to be very careful where we practice. Practicing "on" anyone who is relying upon our professional skills for an education, grade, degree, job or minutes is inappropriate.
We can practice in our home or the back of a room (perhaps at a public meeting or in a church), with the screen down. When people approach to view and/or purchase a transcript, the practicing reporter/student should be very careful.
This is their first impression of you - one long remembered.
Usually, movers and shakers attend meetings to advance their rights. It would be unwise to share work you believe to be inferior to the minutes of any meeting. (Even if they say it's okay to have untranslates, trust me, they remember.)
Just as theory students wouldn't think about practicing (sharing a screen or record) in court, CART providers must work toward their goal. Time invested into the goal benefits everyone - you, most of all.
26. "Can I practice in church?"
Again, practice depends on where you are. If you're practicing within a church, screen down, reach for heaven and the stars. If you're practicing and learning on a large screen or television, people relying on your skills may not receive "the Word of God."
I learned in the corner, screen down. After several months, I moved forward with my practice. Skills depend on practice.
Most church terms are not within a court reporter's dictionary. I was humbled many a time. I excelled in learning how to fingerspell on the fly (in realtime), and I added thousands of words into my dictionary before I went up on the screen.
I built my skills. This assisted everyone dependent upon my large screen during a mass dedicated to Catholic Deaf to "hear" God's Word.
I received so many requests on this topic from working captioners, we developed a specific tool to assist religious writers. Volume E, Universal Religions Interactive CD has 40,000 terms for the ‘CATapult Your Dictionary’ CD series to assist people preparing for this path. (This CD and others are listed at http://www.catapultdix.com/.)
27. "I'm too busy to read the JCR. I'm only here for CE points. How do I learn CART, then CART remotely to the Net? I may have clients requesting this service soon."
Everyone has to eat lunch. Everyone sits at traffic lights, in bank parking lots. Time is there. There are many opportunities to learn how to do CART. State and national conventions have CART seminars. To not attend seminars that teach how to provide this service is truly sad in my opinion.
I wouldn't even consider CARTing to the Internet without extra hands, phone lines, equipment and technical expertise. Yes, there are some who CART remotely without extra hands, but each will share they've had problems. Lines go down; equipment problems occur; technical issues arise.
I wouldn't even consider doing a remote job without technical assistance. Writing to the Internet is a job for advanced CART providers. You will have problems working jobs when you're not seated next to your consumer/audience. Every captioner has an engineer, so should CART providers. For those who have prepared and have learned the CART remote ropes, the sky's the limit!
28. "How much does it pay?" Please see my previous answers.
29. "I'm a CART provider and was contacted by someone who may Baker Act (commit) a deaf person. The reporters with the contract do not do CART. I'm concerned about the deaf person, their rights. Someone advised: 'God takes care of people.' Should I let them work this out?"
I came to a complete halt in my work and immediately phoned this reporter, saying softly, "God does not want the deaf person to get a poor job." Then I spoke honestly and thanked this professional for reaching out to me prior to accepting this job.
Oh, my gosh! We're guardians of the record; professionals that people look to for accuracy.
We must know when to reach out and request guidance and additional help. If someone is going to provide CART for a deaf person in any setting, that reporter must be qualified.
Are they Deaf, deaf, oral, hard-of-hearing or early deafened?
To provide realtime for any deaf or hard-of-hearing person, we must determine if the person needs a sign interpreter and/or CART provider. If the person's first language is sign language, then it's usually the interpreter. If the person is asked, we need to honor their choice.
Mike O'Donnell is "a deaf professional involved in the field of communication accessibility services over 13 years." He's a gifted man, owning Com Access, Bethesda, MD. His logo: Where Communication Barrier Has No Place.
Mike attends our NCRA conventions, works with CART providers and uses sign interpreters to assist him. He reached out to us. We need to embrace his knowledge and hear about the personal experiences he and others have had. They live with moments we can only read and write about.
We sat next to each other at the New Orleans presidential banquet. During dinner, when I signed, "My brother died one year ago tonight," Mike took my hands, bowed his head and signed (said) a prayer to God for my brother. My world stood still -- again -- and I felt blessed for being embraced in this community and the trenches.
Mike has earned my respect for his commitment to all of us working together. May this be so, always.
I wish you a blessed path - in realtime - as you read this. Let's reach out and share in realtime one set of ears, one set of hands at a time.
And yes, you have my permission to share my articles. My online articles are preserved under the CART Special Interest Group, http://cart.ncraonline.org/, http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.monettebenoit.com/.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR "Written Knowledge Exam" Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
Friday, April 4, 2008
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part III of VII
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part III of VII
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part III, Falling On Deaf Ears, continues sharing CART FAQs, comments and facts that consistently cross my path.
Part I and II may be accessed http://www.catapultdix.com/ and www.monettebenoit.com. Responses from my articles continue to arrive.
And, I kindly share, the following are questions I work to address, each pro bono as people move forward with their careers.
To further assist you, many articles that I’ve written about my experiences in the trench with CART and deaf topics are online at http://www.catapultdix.com/.
20) “Where do you apply to provide CART?”
That depends on where your skills and goals are. If you want to write for an educational setting, the school administration and disability offices are a great place to begin to advertise services once you are qualified.
Official reporters in courtrooms do not practice, they intern.
Qualified court reporters provide professional services as do qualified CART providers.
I strongly advise people to gather skills before they go out. Please do not go into situations, accepting professional fees for professional services, then begin to practice. Sadly, word spreads (real) fast among our community and others; reporters regretted that decision, in hindsight - always.
21) “What does it pay?”
You need to determine the level of work. How long is the commitment? One day or 12 weeks? Many factors play into the fee that you request.
I encourage people to attend national conventions, meet people and “ask ‘em.” You’d be surprised at what you learn. (And why would someone, your competitor, share with you in your backyard? Good business would be to go and meet new professionals and also new consumers.)
22) “How steady is the work? Yearly average, please.” (Honest, this was the question.)
That depends. See the above questions for this article and past two.
If a CART provider has gathered information, formed liaisons with the communities of Deaf, deaf, hard-of-hearing, etc., they won’t ask questions like that. You learn. I was told. I am still told. Sometimes it’s funny.
Our experiences, as an official and/or freelance reporter, have not leant themselves to our clearing our throats, saying, “I need ...”
But in this field, when people discovered what I was earning, I received e-mails, TTY calls (telephones deaf and HOH people use) from people telling me to adjust (raise) my rates.
Sometimes I wasn’t sure if I should be offended that my rates seemed to be posted in kitchens, but if you truly become part of these communities, they become protective.
Consumers (they) do not want you to burn out and get upset you are not able to earn a living.
They’ll do much of the bargaining for you. Hard to believe if you’re still an official and/or depo reporter; this I know.
But the people who sit (my term) ‘thigh-by-thigh,’ truly want you to grow with technology and to remain available “as their ears.”
23) “Why do you do this and not depositions?” See above answer(s).
Has any attorney ever asked you to raise your rates?
Has anyone ever attended a meeting to raise money to ensure that you can provide the professional services you choose to share?
Each time I’m hugged, e-mailed, receive gestures of kindness, I feel the tug in my heart; I have that “ah-ha!” moment. There’s not enough money at this time for me to do a deposition.
I am delighted we have so many professionals providing many great services.
I choose this, working with my consumers (not clients/defendants/plaintiffs), knowing I have to write the correct word within two-seconds -- knowing I’ll get that hug, thank you, often teary eye of a child or seasoned professional, who shares deep from within their heart. That’s why.
It’s wonderful to have choices; I intend to take my choices … as they come to me.
24) “What do I tell people who say my skills will not be needed due to voice and or advancing technology?” Great question.
My sincere reply to students, reporters, professionals within and outside our field (to everyone): “Obviously others have not done their research and gathered all the facts that show, in fact, our discipline as reporters ensures we will move with technology, wherever it takes us!” And I really believe that.
Reporters survive a 92 percent flunk rate to graduate from court reporting school.
We are tested each day at rates over 95 percent accuracy to advance in our schooling.
The ability to survive is a challenge, but the tenacity we earn, the orientation to fulfilling our expected tasks, that’s a discipline others do not have.
That’s the difference of a professional who will move ‘with’ technology.
We’re no different than any other profession. We will have challenges, and it’s up to us to address those challenges as a group and individually.
Last night my father was discussing technology and his role in a high school in the 1960s, using punch cards. He said, “Much of the past is similar to buggy-whippers.”
I giggled, “What part’s that? And what’s a buggy-whipper?”
Emmett, my dad said, “That was a full-time job. When there were no buggies or horses, those buggy-whippers were jobless.”
As he continued to discuss how he acted as a “human computer,” holding punch cards up to the light (11 p.m. to 4 a.m. when the school rented blocks of computer time) to see where a student’s classes were and at what level, I had my ‘memory moment’ (deaf phrase).
I thought, “Yeah, I get it.”
Emmett was also the first person to place a high school on computer, then working with IBM. When I ask why he did this, and how he foresaw this possibility, he smiles.
He still replies matter of fact, "I was seeking to keep my job in a field that was filled with an abundance of qualified teachers. I knew I had to do something different, and this was it for me -- then."
His father, my grandfather, delivered milk (he rose from a 4th grade education and became a self-made professional).
My father worked as a teacher and guidance counselor (psychologist, soicial worker, medic), expanding his skills as a (truly) “human computer.”
He’s now relating technology, referring to buggy-whippers, laughing with his daughter, a court reporter, tutor, teacher, realtime CART provider.
We have so much, so very much more to offer.
If we keep our chins up, work together and share, we will amaze -- even ourselves.
And yes, you have my permission to share my articles. One set of ears, one set of hands at a time. And I still swear ‘learning theory’ was the hardest thing I ever did.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR "Written Knowledge Exam" Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, "The CRRT WKT CD" Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part III, Falling On Deaf Ears, continues sharing CART FAQs, comments and facts that consistently cross my path.
Part I and II may be accessed http://www.catapultdix.com/ and www.monettebenoit.com. Responses from my articles continue to arrive.
And, I kindly share, the following are questions I work to address, each pro bono as people move forward with their careers.
To further assist you, many articles that I’ve written about my experiences in the trench with CART and deaf topics are online at http://www.catapultdix.com/.
20) “Where do you apply to provide CART?”
That depends on where your skills and goals are. If you want to write for an educational setting, the school administration and disability offices are a great place to begin to advertise services once you are qualified.
Official reporters in courtrooms do not practice, they intern.
Qualified court reporters provide professional services as do qualified CART providers.
I strongly advise people to gather skills before they go out. Please do not go into situations, accepting professional fees for professional services, then begin to practice. Sadly, word spreads (real) fast among our community and others; reporters regretted that decision, in hindsight - always.
21) “What does it pay?”
You need to determine the level of work. How long is the commitment? One day or 12 weeks? Many factors play into the fee that you request.
I encourage people to attend national conventions, meet people and “ask ‘em.” You’d be surprised at what you learn. (And why would someone, your competitor, share with you in your backyard? Good business would be to go and meet new professionals and also new consumers.)
22) “How steady is the work? Yearly average, please.” (Honest, this was the question.)
That depends. See the above questions for this article and past two.
If a CART provider has gathered information, formed liaisons with the communities of Deaf, deaf, hard-of-hearing, etc., they won’t ask questions like that. You learn. I was told. I am still told. Sometimes it’s funny.
Our experiences, as an official and/or freelance reporter, have not leant themselves to our clearing our throats, saying, “I need ...”
But in this field, when people discovered what I was earning, I received e-mails, TTY calls (telephones deaf and HOH people use) from people telling me to adjust (raise) my rates.
Sometimes I wasn’t sure if I should be offended that my rates seemed to be posted in kitchens, but if you truly become part of these communities, they become protective.
Consumers (they) do not want you to burn out and get upset you are not able to earn a living.
They’ll do much of the bargaining for you. Hard to believe if you’re still an official and/or depo reporter; this I know.
But the people who sit (my term) ‘thigh-by-thigh,’ truly want you to grow with technology and to remain available “as their ears.”
23) “Why do you do this and not depositions?” See above answer(s).
Has any attorney ever asked you to raise your rates?
Has anyone ever attended a meeting to raise money to ensure that you can provide the professional services you choose to share?
Each time I’m hugged, e-mailed, receive gestures of kindness, I feel the tug in my heart; I have that “ah-ha!” moment. There’s not enough money at this time for me to do a deposition.
I am delighted we have so many professionals providing many great services.
I choose this, working with my consumers (not clients/defendants/plaintiffs), knowing I have to write the correct word within two-seconds -- knowing I’ll get that hug, thank you, often teary eye of a child or seasoned professional, who shares deep from within their heart. That’s why.
It’s wonderful to have choices; I intend to take my choices … as they come to me.
24) “What do I tell people who say my skills will not be needed due to voice and or advancing technology?” Great question.
My sincere reply to students, reporters, professionals within and outside our field (to everyone): “Obviously others have not done their research and gathered all the facts that show, in fact, our discipline as reporters ensures we will move with technology, wherever it takes us!” And I really believe that.
Reporters survive a 92 percent flunk rate to graduate from court reporting school.
We are tested each day at rates over 95 percent accuracy to advance in our schooling.
The ability to survive is a challenge, but the tenacity we earn, the orientation to fulfilling our expected tasks, that’s a discipline others do not have.
That’s the difference of a professional who will move ‘with’ technology.
We’re no different than any other profession. We will have challenges, and it’s up to us to address those challenges as a group and individually.
Last night my father was discussing technology and his role in a high school in the 1960s, using punch cards. He said, “Much of the past is similar to buggy-whippers.”
I giggled, “What part’s that? And what’s a buggy-whipper?”
Emmett, my dad said, “That was a full-time job. When there were no buggies or horses, those buggy-whippers were jobless.”
As he continued to discuss how he acted as a “human computer,” holding punch cards up to the light (11 p.m. to 4 a.m. when the school rented blocks of computer time) to see where a student’s classes were and at what level, I had my ‘memory moment’ (deaf phrase).
I thought, “Yeah, I get it.”
Emmett was also the first person to place a high school on computer, then working with IBM. When I ask why he did this, and how he foresaw this possibility, he smiles.
He still replies matter of fact, "I was seeking to keep my job in a field that was filled with an abundance of qualified teachers. I knew I had to do something different, and this was it for me -- then."
His father, my grandfather, delivered milk (he rose from a 4th grade education and became a self-made professional).
My father worked as a teacher and guidance counselor (psychologist, soicial worker, medic), expanding his skills as a (truly) “human computer.”
He’s now relating technology, referring to buggy-whippers, laughing with his daughter, a court reporter, tutor, teacher, realtime CART provider.
We have so much, so very much more to offer.
If we keep our chins up, work together and share, we will amaze -- even ourselves.
And yes, you have my permission to share my articles. One set of ears, one set of hands at a time. And I still swear ‘learning theory’ was the hardest thing I ever did.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR "Written Knowledge Exam" Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, "The CRRT WKT CD" Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
Thursday, April 3, 2008
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part II of VII
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part II of VII
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part II, Falling On Deaf Ears, continues sharing CART FAQs, comments and facts that consistently cross my path. Part I may be accessed http://www.catapultdix.com/ and Monette's Musings, http://www.monettebenoit.com/.
To further assist you, many articles that I’ve written about my experiences with CART and ‘deaf’ topics are online at http://www.catapultdix.com/.
10) “How long did it take you to build your dictionary?”
This is a process. When we stop “building,” we retire from the technical world in which we live. When I began the religious realtime in 1993, I devoted six months to writing and globaling terms.
My alarm rang at 4:30 a.m. to squeeze ‘in’ one hour each morning. (I was exhausted, but knew my life was shifting each day. I felt the ‘pull’ and knew it deep within my heart.)
At the time, I was teaching full-time court reporting speed and academic classes (day and night shifts), was finishing my B.B.A., bachelor degree at Northwood University distance learning program and continued to tutor, expanding the products, books and CDs within CRR Books & CDs.
I created an additional goal of 30 minutes each evening ... even if that meant staring at my steno machine across the living room. The goal was to incorporate ‘building’ into my structure. Once it became a habit, it was easier to find the time, and the challenge was to improve my skills. The challenge still continues.
11) “What accuracy do you write?”
The best I can each and every time. Learning to fingerspell dramatically improved my skills. I tease people that I spent two semesters fingerspelling university-level Latin. Knowing what is, and is not, in your dictionary, fingerspelling without hesitation, and ‘balancing’ a sense of humor is essential in this work, I believe.
12) “Do you write verbatim?”
Now don’t blast me if you think you know this answer. But this depends on my audience (one-to-one or one-to-many), the technical level of the job, what is or isn’t in my dictionary. I try to always write verbatim, but if there is a word that is used repeatedly, I can fingerspell it or I can modify the word. Having worked in courtrooms and depositions, I know there’s a fine-line to what is not verbatim.
13) "Why would you not write verbatim?"
If my consumer is learning challenged and/or disabled, if their vocabulary comprehension falls short of the level being discussed, I may need to shift my writing. When I write on a screen versus on a laptop and/or TV for one or a few, I assess each situation from the view of the consumer and the job for which I have been hired.
But if the consumer points and asks ‘what is that word,’ I have a responsibility within the role that I am providing to assist that person. If a person is Big D (Big Deaf), their English syntax is different. Often they have sign interpreters, but if the group doesn’t want to pay for an interpreter and a CART provider, you will find yourself in a role where you may need to shift how you write.
To prevent problems, I inquire about the consumer, speakers and topics before the ‘event’ to gain insight as to what may ‘pop’ up during the course of a job. And if I’m ‘up’ on a screen, the role is very different. Often I ask the person to write the word on a piece of paper; I answer their question(s) after the speakers are finished. (I prefer to answer their question on paper, if I can, to avoid embarrassing the consumer.)
14) “I keep hearing about writing environmental sounds. How much should a CART provider write?”
I have taken the stance that if I can hear it, and can get it on the screen without altering the message, I write it. I am ‘their’ ears. Samples: dogs barking (“hearing dogs” at work), stomach gurgling (if everyone is laughing, consumers should share in that moment also), rain hitting window, birds chirping (that one still draws tears), garbage truck dumping trash, baby hiccupping and crying, helicopter overhead, etc. If people comment and/or make eye gestures regarding any sounds, I try to include the description with parenthesis around the word(s).
15) “Do you think CART will grow?” Yes.
16) “How do you handle working with sign interpreters?”
Become a team. Feed them. More teams are created around food … truly. It’s a common joke that if you want deaf people to come to an event, feed them. The same is true for interpreters and CART providers.
17) “How do you know what the consumers need?”
This answer is similar to “location, location, location.” Ask. Ask. Ask them.
Recently I was in a room with hard-of-hearing and deaf people. CART was going to be provided. A sign interpreter approached, asking me if I wanted her to sign the presentation, which was being realtimed to a large screen. I paused, saying, “Gee, I don’t know. CART has been prepared as ‘the’ communication; I wouldn’t be able to pay for it myself.” The interpreter said, “That’s okay. If someone wants it, I’d be happy to sign.”
I approached the experienced CART provider, explaining the request. The verbatim reply, “No, not now…” I gasped - standing in front of a large room with an audience already seated.
As I slowly turned to the interpreter who heard the verbatim reply, the interpreter signed to the deaf, asking the consumer directly.
The request was accepted by the consumer, the person needing the communication. The interpreter then placed her chair next to the realtime monitor. The interpreter signed; more than one deaf person watched both the monitor and the interpreter.
What did I learn (again)? Ask. Ask. Ask ‘them’. And the CART provider who had said, “No, not now,” – I bowed my head because I did not agree - at all, but was not in a position to change the direct request to the consumer by the sign interpreter.
The matter was handled with the consumer’s needs addressed by the interpreter. Hard-of-hearing who had come to the event watched the screen. This consumer watched the sign interpreter and the screen.
18) “Who should I look at when I’m speaking to a deaf person and an interpreter is signing?”
Great question. I still have to concentrate and focus on the face of the deaf person. When I forget or continue to watch the interpreter, I am (nicely) refocused. The interpreter is speaking, signing for the deaf person; they ‘are in role’.
19) "What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?”
Well, that continues to evolve. This is just a sampling of a small comical moment - they occur all the time when you are truly in the trench.
During the NCRA midyear convention in San Antonio, I attended the NCRF Fundraiser. My guest was Laney Fox, a deaf teen for whom I have realtimed. I hired an interpreter, Molly Sheridan, (Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, TCDHH, Level IV) to interpret the Saturday evening with Wayne Lee, a certified hypnotist.
As we were standing in line, a person approached from behind saying, “excuse me,” several times to Laney’s back. (She wanted a napkin from the counter.) I smiled, watched. Eventually, I said, “She’s deaf (pointing to Laney). The person said, “I’m soooo sorry.” I tapped Laney and Molly’s shoulder. They asked, “What’s so funny?” I said, “She’s sorry you’re deaf.” We ‘all’ laughed. This happens a lot. Hearing people often talk to the back of a deaf or HOH person … not knowing.
Interpreters approach new clients from behind, saying the name of the person they are seeking. When one person doesn’t turn around, bingo, that’s the client.
Remember I said ‘the’ sense of humor ‘is’ important. I have a deaf friend who will go to hotel lobbies and play the piano. No-one knows he is deaf. He smiles and nods as people speak ‘to’ him. The first time I saw this, I held my ribs to stop from howling. His sincerity, eye contact, was so ‘pure,’ as each person ‘spoke’ to him. We have much to learn from each deaf and HOH person … much indeed.
You have my permission to photo, add, delete, share. And there will be a Part III. Maybe this series could be renamed to “Falling on Hearing Ears” one day. With your involvement, we can make ‘this’ a possibility. One set of ears, one set of hands at a time. And I still swear ‘learning theory’ was the hardest thing I ever did.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR "Written Knowledge Exam" Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part II, Falling On Deaf Ears, continues sharing CART FAQs, comments and facts that consistently cross my path. Part I may be accessed http://www.catapultdix.com/ and Monette's Musings, http://www.monettebenoit.com/.
To further assist you, many articles that I’ve written about my experiences with CART and ‘deaf’ topics are online at http://www.catapultdix.com/.
10) “How long did it take you to build your dictionary?”
This is a process. When we stop “building,” we retire from the technical world in which we live. When I began the religious realtime in 1993, I devoted six months to writing and globaling terms.
My alarm rang at 4:30 a.m. to squeeze ‘in’ one hour each morning. (I was exhausted, but knew my life was shifting each day. I felt the ‘pull’ and knew it deep within my heart.)
At the time, I was teaching full-time court reporting speed and academic classes (day and night shifts), was finishing my B.B.A., bachelor degree at Northwood University distance learning program and continued to tutor, expanding the products, books and CDs within CRR Books & CDs.
I created an additional goal of 30 minutes each evening ... even if that meant staring at my steno machine across the living room. The goal was to incorporate ‘building’ into my structure. Once it became a habit, it was easier to find the time, and the challenge was to improve my skills. The challenge still continues.
11) “What accuracy do you write?”
The best I can each and every time. Learning to fingerspell dramatically improved my skills. I tease people that I spent two semesters fingerspelling university-level Latin. Knowing what is, and is not, in your dictionary, fingerspelling without hesitation, and ‘balancing’ a sense of humor is essential in this work, I believe.
12) “Do you write verbatim?”
Now don’t blast me if you think you know this answer. But this depends on my audience (one-to-one or one-to-many), the technical level of the job, what is or isn’t in my dictionary. I try to always write verbatim, but if there is a word that is used repeatedly, I can fingerspell it or I can modify the word. Having worked in courtrooms and depositions, I know there’s a fine-line to what is not verbatim.
13) "Why would you not write verbatim?"
If my consumer is learning challenged and/or disabled, if their vocabulary comprehension falls short of the level being discussed, I may need to shift my writing. When I write on a screen versus on a laptop and/or TV for one or a few, I assess each situation from the view of the consumer and the job for which I have been hired.
But if the consumer points and asks ‘what is that word,’ I have a responsibility within the role that I am providing to assist that person. If a person is Big D (Big Deaf), their English syntax is different. Often they have sign interpreters, but if the group doesn’t want to pay for an interpreter and a CART provider, you will find yourself in a role where you may need to shift how you write.
To prevent problems, I inquire about the consumer, speakers and topics before the ‘event’ to gain insight as to what may ‘pop’ up during the course of a job. And if I’m ‘up’ on a screen, the role is very different. Often I ask the person to write the word on a piece of paper; I answer their question(s) after the speakers are finished. (I prefer to answer their question on paper, if I can, to avoid embarrassing the consumer.)
14) “I keep hearing about writing environmental sounds. How much should a CART provider write?”
I have taken the stance that if I can hear it, and can get it on the screen without altering the message, I write it. I am ‘their’ ears. Samples: dogs barking (“hearing dogs” at work), stomach gurgling (if everyone is laughing, consumers should share in that moment also), rain hitting window, birds chirping (that one still draws tears), garbage truck dumping trash, baby hiccupping and crying, helicopter overhead, etc. If people comment and/or make eye gestures regarding any sounds, I try to include the description with parenthesis around the word(s).
15) “Do you think CART will grow?” Yes.
16) “How do you handle working with sign interpreters?”
Become a team. Feed them. More teams are created around food … truly. It’s a common joke that if you want deaf people to come to an event, feed them. The same is true for interpreters and CART providers.
17) “How do you know what the consumers need?”
This answer is similar to “location, location, location.” Ask. Ask. Ask them.
Recently I was in a room with hard-of-hearing and deaf people. CART was going to be provided. A sign interpreter approached, asking me if I wanted her to sign the presentation, which was being realtimed to a large screen. I paused, saying, “Gee, I don’t know. CART has been prepared as ‘the’ communication; I wouldn’t be able to pay for it myself.” The interpreter said, “That’s okay. If someone wants it, I’d be happy to sign.”
I approached the experienced CART provider, explaining the request. The verbatim reply, “No, not now…” I gasped - standing in front of a large room with an audience already seated.
As I slowly turned to the interpreter who heard the verbatim reply, the interpreter signed to the deaf, asking the consumer directly.
The request was accepted by the consumer, the person needing the communication. The interpreter then placed her chair next to the realtime monitor. The interpreter signed; more than one deaf person watched both the monitor and the interpreter.
What did I learn (again)? Ask. Ask. Ask ‘them’. And the CART provider who had said, “No, not now,” – I bowed my head because I did not agree - at all, but was not in a position to change the direct request to the consumer by the sign interpreter.
The matter was handled with the consumer’s needs addressed by the interpreter. Hard-of-hearing who had come to the event watched the screen. This consumer watched the sign interpreter and the screen.
18) “Who should I look at when I’m speaking to a deaf person and an interpreter is signing?”
Great question. I still have to concentrate and focus on the face of the deaf person. When I forget or continue to watch the interpreter, I am (nicely) refocused. The interpreter is speaking, signing for the deaf person; they ‘are in role’.
19) "What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?”
Well, that continues to evolve. This is just a sampling of a small comical moment - they occur all the time when you are truly in the trench.
During the NCRA midyear convention in San Antonio, I attended the NCRF Fundraiser. My guest was Laney Fox, a deaf teen for whom I have realtimed. I hired an interpreter, Molly Sheridan, (Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, TCDHH, Level IV) to interpret the Saturday evening with Wayne Lee, a certified hypnotist.
As we were standing in line, a person approached from behind saying, “excuse me,” several times to Laney’s back. (She wanted a napkin from the counter.) I smiled, watched. Eventually, I said, “She’s deaf (pointing to Laney). The person said, “I’m soooo sorry.” I tapped Laney and Molly’s shoulder. They asked, “What’s so funny?” I said, “She’s sorry you’re deaf.” We ‘all’ laughed. This happens a lot. Hearing people often talk to the back of a deaf or HOH person … not knowing.
Interpreters approach new clients from behind, saying the name of the person they are seeking. When one person doesn’t turn around, bingo, that’s the client.
Remember I said ‘the’ sense of humor ‘is’ important. I have a deaf friend who will go to hotel lobbies and play the piano. No-one knows he is deaf. He smiles and nods as people speak ‘to’ him. The first time I saw this, I held my ribs to stop from howling. His sincerity, eye contact, was so ‘pure,’ as each person ‘spoke’ to him. We have much to learn from each deaf and HOH person … much indeed.
You have my permission to photo, add, delete, share. And there will be a Part III. Maybe this series could be renamed to “Falling on Hearing Ears” one day. With your involvement, we can make ‘this’ a possibility. One set of ears, one set of hands at a time. And I still swear ‘learning theory’ was the hardest thing I ever did.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR "Written Knowledge Exam" Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part I of VII
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part I of VII
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
As a CART provider, teacher, tutor, coach, and author, I receive many e-mails that are enlightening, sincere and detailed. Many contain paragraphs with question after question.
Many contain the same questions week after week.
I respond as best as I can, then another arrives: "How do I ...?" "Where can I learn quickly ...?" Many request specific information with statistics to be included, and "Can I have it before the close of business today? Do you have any forms from your business that we can use. You can e-mail or fax them to us. We really need it."
Today I received: "How do I learn to CART and write numbers without the number bar?" "Can I attend a CART seminar if I'm not realtiming?" "If I move, how do I continue to earn money when only 50 percent of the transcripts will be ordered. I'll earn less, but have more free time. I do realtime and have clean notes, so I'm considering CART or closed captioning if I really can't earn enough to live on."
Then I received this: "Regarding CART, it's like a beehive. Everyone is protective of their own territory. Someone is going to come in with a can of Raid and kill them all off if you don't band together, get organized." I sent that person a thank-you note for giving me the big laugh for the day. If that person were informed, he/she would have been aware of CARTWheel (http://www.cartwheel.cc/) and also NCRA's support of CART.
The continuing "how do I do it quickly" reminds me of the Dalai Lama.
One day a person asked, "How do I achieve enlightenment quickly?" The Dalai Lama responded silently. He cried.
So I've put together a FAQ list. Parts II-VII will follow and is posted on http://www.catapultdix.com/.
As technology expands, we need to be more fluid with our skills. Here's a sampling in the order in which I usually receive requests for information.
1. "I'm not happy with the work, long hours and deadlines." Also: "I don't want to work with attorneys anymore. What do you suggest?"
There are many opportunities for reporters. If someone wants to work in legal settings, or not, there now are many choices; this creates options.
2. "How do I get started?"
I strongly suggest joining your national and state organizations. They're founts of information. State and national representatives continually attend seminars geared to helping and leading others. Many seminars are created from their seminars. You need to read your state and national magazines. Each NCRA Journal is varied and informative on all topics. (No, they didn't ask me to say this. I'm in the trenches, like almost every other author.)
3. "Where do I get started?"
If you receive state and national magazines, they often list seminars, publications, Web sites and other information. Only you know where your skills truly are. When you read the entire magazine, become familiar with terms, products, names, presenters, speakers or associations, you will be a better judge of where your "where" is.
4. "How do I learn the most in the quickest time?"
Improving skills is a lifelong process. Preparation and education are key. Those who learn the quickest usually were the best prepared; they didn't do it overnight.
5. "What can I do that will save me money now so I can learn?"
Also: "I know I'll lose speed if I change my writing style. How do I prevent that?"
The answer lies in where each person is when he or she asks. Incremental changes can be made. Massive changes might be avoided. But if you want to realtime, you need to tweak your writing. I suggest that people not look at this as losing money, but as a shift to a bigger arena of income that becomes available - one that may not be there now if they are unhappy with their current writing skills.
6. "How do I get work? How do I meet clients?"
Work is anyplace where the English language is spoken and/or muttered (I tease). In many locations, "clients" are called "consumers." After prepping, to get work you need to find someone who knows consumers, or you need to meet them to create your work. You need to become familiar with their culture, sensitivities and needs.
7. "How do I learn about clients, cultures, sensitivities?"
State and national associations are a wonderful starting ground. Most have their own Web sites. The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, AGB; the Registry of Interpreters (sign interpreters), RID; Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People, SHHH – renamed to Hearing Loss Association of America; the National Association of the Deaf, NAD - each association is different. Look them up.
We have a group, CARTWheel, that includes reporters who have been endorsed by a fellow member and a consumer. We share information that is vital to our specific needs. Gayl Hardeman is the founder. We assist consumers, parents, educational institutions and companies who are seeking competent CART providers.
Many national associations have state and local chapters. The key is to be prepared with your knowledge, then arrive with your equipment. Many groups now are very familiar with CART. They have an understanding of the needs in their backyard and who might need services. The Yellow Pages, United Way, sign interpreters, audiologists, school districts, universities - the list is endless - have information where services might be needed.
Unfortunately, most people ask some of these questions (or worse, they don't) believing that if they can realtime in depositions or court, they can "do this," and they head out into the CART field.
This is a different ballgame. It is no different than realtiming on someone else's software with his or her personal dictionary. The key to being successful when learning about CART is to do your homework before you go out. "Something is better than nothing" is not good for you or the consumer. You need to know this.
And when that "something is better than nothing" is discussed with me by someone seeking CART services, I decline the work. I choose not to work with companies that want the cheapest writer.
Many companies and educational institutions will ask, "Can't you just find someone who needs an internship? This helps them to learn and helps us to save money." I'm still amazed when that question is asked by people requesting our services (they often do not want to be sued). They do not want to compensate qualified reporters for their training, equipment and technical skills. The consumer deserves qualified services. His or her job and/or education may rely upon what that person receives - or does not receive - on the computer screen.
Knowing where the boundaries are in this field with your skills and the needs of the consumers is vital before you step out. Some may want to pay you a lower fee to "learn"; be careful.
Often qualified CART providers must go in after the fact to pick up where the person who was not prepared left off. That's not pretty no matter where or how that happens.
8. "Should I learn sign language?"
I believe that each person who works with deaf individuals should know some signs. Is English their first language? Many, not all, deaf people communicate by signs. The more you know, the more flexible you are. If a person is deaf or hard-of-hearing, he or she may not sign. This is the key to the culture and sensitivity. From where I stand now, I simply ask, "What do you prefer?"
9. "How do I meet sign interpreters?"
Go where they go. Interpreters are experiencing national shortages. I went to places where they were. I waited for many to come to me. I was later told that it meant I really wanted to learn. I listed the information in the order in which I receive the requests. This is the beginning of a discussion, the first in a series with seven parts.
The complete series is posted http://www.catapultdix.com/.
Falling on Deaf Ears ... the sad part, to me, about writing this article?
Many people who request that these questions 'be' answered quickly, so they can learn quickly, may not be members of our national and their state association. Remote CART is expanding our possibilities. Now we have to expand our skills. The market has never been so varied, so wide.
And I still swear "learning theory" was the hardest thing I ever did.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
As a CART provider, teacher, tutor, coach, and author, I receive many e-mails that are enlightening, sincere and detailed. Many contain paragraphs with question after question.
Many contain the same questions week after week.
I respond as best as I can, then another arrives: "How do I ...?" "Where can I learn quickly ...?" Many request specific information with statistics to be included, and "Can I have it before the close of business today? Do you have any forms from your business that we can use. You can e-mail or fax them to us. We really need it."
Today I received: "How do I learn to CART and write numbers without the number bar?" "Can I attend a CART seminar if I'm not realtiming?" "If I move, how do I continue to earn money when only 50 percent of the transcripts will be ordered. I'll earn less, but have more free time. I do realtime and have clean notes, so I'm considering CART or closed captioning if I really can't earn enough to live on."
Then I received this: "Regarding CART, it's like a beehive. Everyone is protective of their own territory. Someone is going to come in with a can of Raid and kill them all off if you don't band together, get organized." I sent that person a thank-you note for giving me the big laugh for the day. If that person were informed, he/she would have been aware of CARTWheel (http://www.cartwheel.cc/) and also NCRA's support of CART.
The continuing "how do I do it quickly" reminds me of the Dalai Lama.
One day a person asked, "How do I achieve enlightenment quickly?" The Dalai Lama responded silently. He cried.
So I've put together a FAQ list. Parts II-VII will follow and is posted on http://www.catapultdix.com/.
As technology expands, we need to be more fluid with our skills. Here's a sampling in the order in which I usually receive requests for information.
1. "I'm not happy with the work, long hours and deadlines." Also: "I don't want to work with attorneys anymore. What do you suggest?"
There are many opportunities for reporters. If someone wants to work in legal settings, or not, there now are many choices; this creates options.
2. "How do I get started?"
I strongly suggest joining your national and state organizations. They're founts of information. State and national representatives continually attend seminars geared to helping and leading others. Many seminars are created from their seminars. You need to read your state and national magazines. Each NCRA Journal is varied and informative on all topics. (No, they didn't ask me to say this. I'm in the trenches, like almost every other author.)
3. "Where do I get started?"
If you receive state and national magazines, they often list seminars, publications, Web sites and other information. Only you know where your skills truly are. When you read the entire magazine, become familiar with terms, products, names, presenters, speakers or associations, you will be a better judge of where your "where" is.
4. "How do I learn the most in the quickest time?"
Improving skills is a lifelong process. Preparation and education are key. Those who learn the quickest usually were the best prepared; they didn't do it overnight.
5. "What can I do that will save me money now so I can learn?"
Also: "I know I'll lose speed if I change my writing style. How do I prevent that?"
The answer lies in where each person is when he or she asks. Incremental changes can be made. Massive changes might be avoided. But if you want to realtime, you need to tweak your writing. I suggest that people not look at this as losing money, but as a shift to a bigger arena of income that becomes available - one that may not be there now if they are unhappy with their current writing skills.
6. "How do I get work? How do I meet clients?"
Work is anyplace where the English language is spoken and/or muttered (I tease). In many locations, "clients" are called "consumers." After prepping, to get work you need to find someone who knows consumers, or you need to meet them to create your work. You need to become familiar with their culture, sensitivities and needs.
7. "How do I learn about clients, cultures, sensitivities?"
State and national associations are a wonderful starting ground. Most have their own Web sites. The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, AGB; the Registry of Interpreters (sign interpreters), RID; Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People, SHHH – renamed to Hearing Loss Association of America; the National Association of the Deaf, NAD - each association is different. Look them up.
We have a group, CARTWheel, that includes reporters who have been endorsed by a fellow member and a consumer. We share information that is vital to our specific needs. Gayl Hardeman is the founder. We assist consumers, parents, educational institutions and companies who are seeking competent CART providers.
Many national associations have state and local chapters. The key is to be prepared with your knowledge, then arrive with your equipment. Many groups now are very familiar with CART. They have an understanding of the needs in their backyard and who might need services. The Yellow Pages, United Way, sign interpreters, audiologists, school districts, universities - the list is endless - have information where services might be needed.
Unfortunately, most people ask some of these questions (or worse, they don't) believing that if they can realtime in depositions or court, they can "do this," and they head out into the CART field.
This is a different ballgame. It is no different than realtiming on someone else's software with his or her personal dictionary. The key to being successful when learning about CART is to do your homework before you go out. "Something is better than nothing" is not good for you or the consumer. You need to know this.
And when that "something is better than nothing" is discussed with me by someone seeking CART services, I decline the work. I choose not to work with companies that want the cheapest writer.
Many companies and educational institutions will ask, "Can't you just find someone who needs an internship? This helps them to learn and helps us to save money." I'm still amazed when that question is asked by people requesting our services (they often do not want to be sued). They do not want to compensate qualified reporters for their training, equipment and technical skills. The consumer deserves qualified services. His or her job and/or education may rely upon what that person receives - or does not receive - on the computer screen.
Knowing where the boundaries are in this field with your skills and the needs of the consumers is vital before you step out. Some may want to pay you a lower fee to "learn"; be careful.
Often qualified CART providers must go in after the fact to pick up where the person who was not prepared left off. That's not pretty no matter where or how that happens.
8. "Should I learn sign language?"
I believe that each person who works with deaf individuals should know some signs. Is English their first language? Many, not all, deaf people communicate by signs. The more you know, the more flexible you are. If a person is deaf or hard-of-hearing, he or she may not sign. This is the key to the culture and sensitivity. From where I stand now, I simply ask, "What do you prefer?"
9. "How do I meet sign interpreters?"
Go where they go. Interpreters are experiencing national shortages. I went to places where they were. I waited for many to come to me. I was later told that it meant I really wanted to learn. I listed the information in the order in which I receive the requests. This is the beginning of a discussion, the first in a series with seven parts.
The complete series is posted http://www.catapultdix.com/.
Falling on Deaf Ears ... the sad part, to me, about writing this article?
Many people who request that these questions 'be' answered quickly, so they can learn quickly, may not be members of our national and their state association. Remote CART is expanding our possibilities. Now we have to expand our skills. The market has never been so varied, so wide.
And I still swear "learning theory" was the hardest thing I ever did.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
How’d You Get Here? Part Two
“How’d You Get Here?”
By Monette Benoit
Copyright 2008 by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved
Last month I wrote that, as a tutor and court reporter, I am persistently asked, “How’d you get through it? How’d you get here?”
I e-mailed four questions to leaders: How were you attracted to court reporting? How did you pick your school? What work did you do? What are you doing now? Each has a grand story. We are always a court reporting student – always– expanding our skills, work and goals.
Gayl Hardeman: I was attracted to court reporting because I thought it would be a great summer job between academic years as a school teacher. I picked the only night class around (vo-tech). I graduated by way of Leo Zoffness, a tutor and former New York court reporting instructor. I studied weekends at his house; he made me study tapes, graded my notes. I became a freelancer in 1970. I worked 12 years, and then took off nine years to be a mom. I dabbled in acting and church work. Currently, I provide CART and captioning and have a remote, on-site CART business specializing in litigation realtime for professionals who call for help. I love this profession. It is perfect job for ex-English teacher who minored in business!
Gayl Hardeman, RDR, CCP, FAPR, Pinellas Park, Florida
Gayl’s husband, Michael J. Klutzow, A.S., C.L.V.S., is owner, principal videographer, Rockwater Technical Services, audio, video services, years of experience, professionalism in technology fields.
Lynne Marie Zakrzewski: I wanted to work in the sheriff's department with my father. He said the department was no place for me and suggested court reporting. He'd seen the reporter in court. He thought it might be a good fit since I hit 95 wpm on a manual typewriter in 7th grade. I also played piano, flute. Selecting a college while not having a car, I looked at the business school because it was closest. Court reporting was on the list! Two years later I received my A.B.A. and began working as a freelance reporter. It was the end of the recession; wanting more work, I found myself at a second freelance firm two and a half years later. The second firm told me I wasn't "cut out for reporting." I sat for my certificate of merit that week and passed all four legs in one sitting. I was hired as an official, where I worked for eight years before re-entering the freelance arena. I wanted to be home for my kids; freelancing was on an obvious decline here due to contracting. Wanting to challenge myself, and in an effort to "move forward," I entered the captioning arena. It is here where I found my true passion and can't imagine doing anything else. It brings sheer pleasure!
Lynne Marie Zakrzewski, RMR, CRR, CBC, CPE, CSR, Willis, Michigan, President-Elect
Karen Finkelstein: I had gone to college to get a degree in speech therapy/audiology/communicative disorders. By the end of my second year, I wasn’t positive if that was what I wanted to do. I took a year off, traveled with a girlfriend, lived with my aunt and uncle, eventually ended back at mom and dad’s. Mom was the office manager for three orthopedic surgeons; she knew court reporters who reported surgeon’s depositions. Mom rushed home one day, “This is right up your alley! You’ve played piano since you were little, earned excellent grades in English, have good keyboarding skills.” Although I had no idea what reporters really did or what training entailed, I moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and saw an ad in the paper for Madison Business College. I called, signed up for court reporting classes. I fell in love with the machine!
I graduated after two years with an Associate’s Degree. We had class five days per week. I worked in an office every afternoon. I practiced during the evenings and loved writing on the machine. I’d usually pull it out anytime I watched TV. I had an opportunity to be “official reporter” for mock trials at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, UW-Madison. No magic powders, Monette – just hours on the machine!
My first job was for the State of Wisconsin Department of Hearings and Rules. I traveled the state with hearing examiners taking testimony at probation and parole revocation hearings. (Whoever thought I’d be hanging out in county jails and the segregation building of state prison? I dressed conservatively when I walked the cell block! One inmate was so dangerous that he and the hearing examiner were inside the cell while I sat outside bars to record testimony. Oh, hearings at the psychiatric hospital to determine if sex offenders were sufficiently rehabilitated were interesting.) After two years, I moved to Washington, D.C., accepting a freelance position. I loved freelance (except for nasty Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hearings). One week I was in West Virginia doing black lung hearings, and the next week I’d be in Boston taking testimony of M.I.T. professors, then back to Washington for depos on cases involving the Smithsonian to the sinking of a Norwegian tanker ship. Never a dull moment.
Two years later, there was an opening at D.C. Superior Court, where I accepted an officialship. That was a social environment – mingling every day with judges, U.S. attorneys, public defenders, marshals, court clerks. We rotated from judge to judge each month, so I was exposed to civil matters, criminal felonies, misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and family court in an extremely high-volume courthouse.
I then spent 22 years at the National Captioning Institute, first as staff captioner, then supervisor/trainer, and then as a manager. My last two years, I managed recruitment, screening, and hiring of live captioners. Now I’m Director of Education and School Development for NCRA, sharing my love of the profession. Working with students and schools was always one of my favorite things. Now I get to focus on it full time! I couldn’t be in a more perfect job. Karen Finkelstein, Director, Education and School Development, NCRA, Vienna, Virginia
CART Provider: Nothing remarkable. I graduated from Princeton, utterly without distinction, majoring in Germanic philology. I did not get into the military. (I was rejected due to a refractive error.) I stayed out of the Army draft (I passed over by one number in draft lottery). I had multiple jobs, including flying my father around in the family plane to French West Indies investment properties (we lived in St. Croix then; I happened to speak French), keeping books in a marina, operating a 10-ton IBM computer in an oil refinery, and teaching Latin.
Mom played the cello in a piano trio in which I occasionally participated. The violinist was the late Clayton Muise of New York, court reporter. He suggested I consider court reporter. He received a catalog from the (late) great McMahon College, the only school I ever heard of, so off I went. I then worked as a freelancer in the Boston area and was able to pursue musical interests as well. I've been doing educational and conference CART for well over a decade now, along with freelance legal work for twelve years. Not very fascinating. I hope this helps. Anonymity requested.
Monette Benoit: I ended my column last month: “Did you see similarities?
This court reporter is still learning, still loving it. And you?”
The similarities I saw then are here, too.
How’d we get here? Family and friends were the common referral. It was a parent or a friend who suggested court reporting. It was not recruitment or media campaigns – Many are not working for large salaries, sans shoes, from home. That’s how we got here.
We listened to a referral and sought details.
How’d we get through it? By tenaciously working to pursue our goals, passions. We often lived and breathed steno schooling, practicing and learning for two years.
The replies I received are from distinguished leaders who progressed through court reporting school, graduated – and then each excelled throughout multiple venues, embraced, accepted, technology, change. Someone we knew thought we might like this profession.
In Part One, last month, and Part Two, here, we’ve read about determination, hard work, family, music and language talents, love of the machine, and consistent work to improve skills after graduation.
We each arrived separately to now stand together.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA.
She is the author of multiple books to include the NCRA Written Knowledge Test and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, 'Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook' and the ‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, CART provider, columnist. She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals.
Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
By Monette Benoit
Copyright 2008 by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved
Last month I wrote that, as a tutor and court reporter, I am persistently asked, “How’d you get through it? How’d you get here?”
I e-mailed four questions to leaders: How were you attracted to court reporting? How did you pick your school? What work did you do? What are you doing now? Each has a grand story. We are always a court reporting student – always– expanding our skills, work and goals.
Gayl Hardeman: I was attracted to court reporting because I thought it would be a great summer job between academic years as a school teacher. I picked the only night class around (vo-tech). I graduated by way of Leo Zoffness, a tutor and former New York court reporting instructor. I studied weekends at his house; he made me study tapes, graded my notes. I became a freelancer in 1970. I worked 12 years, and then took off nine years to be a mom. I dabbled in acting and church work. Currently, I provide CART and captioning and have a remote, on-site CART business specializing in litigation realtime for professionals who call for help. I love this profession. It is perfect job for ex-English teacher who minored in business!
Gayl Hardeman, RDR, CCP, FAPR, Pinellas Park, Florida
Gayl’s husband, Michael J. Klutzow, A.S., C.L.V.S., is owner, principal videographer, Rockwater Technical Services, audio, video services, years of experience, professionalism in technology fields.
Lynne Marie Zakrzewski: I wanted to work in the sheriff's department with my father. He said the department was no place for me and suggested court reporting. He'd seen the reporter in court. He thought it might be a good fit since I hit 95 wpm on a manual typewriter in 7th grade. I also played piano, flute. Selecting a college while not having a car, I looked at the business school because it was closest. Court reporting was on the list! Two years later I received my A.B.A. and began working as a freelance reporter. It was the end of the recession; wanting more work, I found myself at a second freelance firm two and a half years later. The second firm told me I wasn't "cut out for reporting." I sat for my certificate of merit that week and passed all four legs in one sitting. I was hired as an official, where I worked for eight years before re-entering the freelance arena. I wanted to be home for my kids; freelancing was on an obvious decline here due to contracting. Wanting to challenge myself, and in an effort to "move forward," I entered the captioning arena. It is here where I found my true passion and can't imagine doing anything else. It brings sheer pleasure!
Lynne Marie Zakrzewski, RMR, CRR, CBC, CPE, CSR, Willis, Michigan, President-Elect
Karen Finkelstein: I had gone to college to get a degree in speech therapy/audiology/communicative disorders. By the end of my second year, I wasn’t positive if that was what I wanted to do. I took a year off, traveled with a girlfriend, lived with my aunt and uncle, eventually ended back at mom and dad’s. Mom was the office manager for three orthopedic surgeons; she knew court reporters who reported surgeon’s depositions. Mom rushed home one day, “This is right up your alley! You’ve played piano since you were little, earned excellent grades in English, have good keyboarding skills.” Although I had no idea what reporters really did or what training entailed, I moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and saw an ad in the paper for Madison Business College. I called, signed up for court reporting classes. I fell in love with the machine!
I graduated after two years with an Associate’s Degree. We had class five days per week. I worked in an office every afternoon. I practiced during the evenings and loved writing on the machine. I’d usually pull it out anytime I watched TV. I had an opportunity to be “official reporter” for mock trials at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, UW-Madison. No magic powders, Monette – just hours on the machine!
My first job was for the State of Wisconsin Department of Hearings and Rules. I traveled the state with hearing examiners taking testimony at probation and parole revocation hearings. (Whoever thought I’d be hanging out in county jails and the segregation building of state prison? I dressed conservatively when I walked the cell block! One inmate was so dangerous that he and the hearing examiner were inside the cell while I sat outside bars to record testimony. Oh, hearings at the psychiatric hospital to determine if sex offenders were sufficiently rehabilitated were interesting.) After two years, I moved to Washington, D.C., accepting a freelance position. I loved freelance (except for nasty Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hearings). One week I was in West Virginia doing black lung hearings, and the next week I’d be in Boston taking testimony of M.I.T. professors, then back to Washington for depos on cases involving the Smithsonian to the sinking of a Norwegian tanker ship. Never a dull moment.
Two years later, there was an opening at D.C. Superior Court, where I accepted an officialship. That was a social environment – mingling every day with judges, U.S. attorneys, public defenders, marshals, court clerks. We rotated from judge to judge each month, so I was exposed to civil matters, criminal felonies, misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and family court in an extremely high-volume courthouse.
I then spent 22 years at the National Captioning Institute, first as staff captioner, then supervisor/trainer, and then as a manager. My last two years, I managed recruitment, screening, and hiring of live captioners. Now I’m Director of Education and School Development for NCRA, sharing my love of the profession. Working with students and schools was always one of my favorite things. Now I get to focus on it full time! I couldn’t be in a more perfect job. Karen Finkelstein, Director, Education and School Development, NCRA, Vienna, Virginia
CART Provider: Nothing remarkable. I graduated from Princeton, utterly without distinction, majoring in Germanic philology. I did not get into the military. (I was rejected due to a refractive error.) I stayed out of the Army draft (I passed over by one number in draft lottery). I had multiple jobs, including flying my father around in the family plane to French West Indies investment properties (we lived in St. Croix then; I happened to speak French), keeping books in a marina, operating a 10-ton IBM computer in an oil refinery, and teaching Latin.
Mom played the cello in a piano trio in which I occasionally participated. The violinist was the late Clayton Muise of New York, court reporter. He suggested I consider court reporter. He received a catalog from the (late) great McMahon College, the only school I ever heard of, so off I went. I then worked as a freelancer in the Boston area and was able to pursue musical interests as well. I've been doing educational and conference CART for well over a decade now, along with freelance legal work for twelve years. Not very fascinating. I hope this helps. Anonymity requested.
Monette Benoit: I ended my column last month: “Did you see similarities?
This court reporter is still learning, still loving it. And you?”
The similarities I saw then are here, too.
How’d we get here? Family and friends were the common referral. It was a parent or a friend who suggested court reporting. It was not recruitment or media campaigns – Many are not working for large salaries, sans shoes, from home. That’s how we got here.
We listened to a referral and sought details.
How’d we get through it? By tenaciously working to pursue our goals, passions. We often lived and breathed steno schooling, practicing and learning for two years.
The replies I received are from distinguished leaders who progressed through court reporting school, graduated – and then each excelled throughout multiple venues, embraced, accepted, technology, change. Someone we knew thought we might like this profession.
In Part One, last month, and Part Two, here, we’ve read about determination, hard work, family, music and language talents, love of the machine, and consistent work to improve skills after graduation.
We each arrived separately to now stand together.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA.
She is the author of multiple books to include the NCRA Written Knowledge Test and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, 'Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook' and the ‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, CART provider, columnist. She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals.
Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
Monday, March 10, 2008
How’d You Get Here? Part One
How’d You Get Here? Part One
By Monette Benoit
Copyright 2008 by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Each person is a story. As I tutor and coach court reporters and students, I am continually asked: “How’d you get through it? How’d you get here?” I sent four questions to leaders – freelance reporters, officials, CART providers, captioners: How were you attracted to court reporting? How did you pick your school? What work did you do? What are you doing now?
I continue to learn, affirming: silent people recording history – court reporters – are fascinating individuals. I firmly believe we are all court reporting students – always– as we expand skills and goals.
Below is the first part of the responses I received.
Diane Emery: My dad was a vice detective and appeared in court. I was a Spanish major at US, University of South Florida, trying to earn a living with a Spanish degree. My dad said you should be a court reporter; it is a good career for a woman. I listened to my dad, went to court with him, talked with the official, Betty Lauria. I figured for a two-year program, I couldn’t go wrong. I loved the idea of being able to work anywhere in the world. The school was in my town. I was typing for the official in federal court when I was at 225 (wpm, word per minute) tests. There was an emergency hearing; I was the only person at the courthouse. The judge told me I was ready to be a reporter according to him, so I started working. Meanwhile, the school went out of business.
I worked in London at Old Bailey criminal court. I worked for a Bradenton freelance firm mainly covering administrative hearings. Then one of the attorneys I worked with saw me crying at a bar on a Friday night and asked why I was crying. I told him I had just quit and didn’t know what I was going to do. He told me to open a firm. I had a manual typewriter and one client. I started my agency in 1982. Diane T. Emery, CMRS, FPR, Executive Reporting Service, St. Petersburg, Florida, Serving Florida with five offices
Jeanette Blalock: I worked as a legal secretary in Texas. An attorney talked to me about reporting; his wife was a court reporter. Soon, I was a student. While in school, I wanted to be an official in court. I rushed through school, as I was going broke quickly. I spent all day at school, then another four to five hours each night on my machine, working on speed.
In a need to finish school faster, I followed my mentor, Monette, to Dallas and had her administer the qualifying exams I needed for Texas state testing. (Monette Benoit one of my beloved teachers from the early days of court reporting school. Here I am, almost 20 years later, still following her across the world. You see, good teachers never go away, they just become close friends)
So I finished school. Too broke to hang around for the next certification exam, I moved to Massachusetts, which was then a state with no certification. I flew back to Texas to take my test.
After being certified, I worked for freelance agencies. I loved the flexibility freelance work affords and managed a Corpus Christi firm. I now own my court reporting business in Alaska.
For years, I lived in the Interior of Alaska, in Delta Junction. I would drive 100 miles to Fairbanks for depositions. During summer months, I welcomed the drive. During winter it would fall to 50 or 60 below zero. Depositions don't cancel in the extreme cold. Often when you reached your deposition, there was not a place to plug in your vehicle. When this happens, you take breaks every couple of hours to head out and start your car; otherwise, your car will not start at the end of the day.
I now live in Kodiak. The weather is better, so people don't plug in their vehicles. There's not an abundance of work, so I help Alaska’s reporters. There are fewer than 20 reporters in the state. Reporters tend to be overworked; I also help with scoping and proofreading.
Opportunities for travel can be interesting. Sometimes reporters are flown to remote villages where they sleep in the school or someone's cabin. In villages, you are treated to Alaskan delicacies, seal soup, black bear and eggs for breakfast.
Court reporting has opened many fields. As a wordsmith, there are opportunities for variance. I have reported depositions, court, conventions, public meetings and I have provided CART (communication access realtime translation). I've followed groups around outdoor construction sites 20 below zero, capturing every word and taking breaks to warm my fingers. I even took a job for a couple of years for the Army as a technical editor.
How'd I get here? Through hard work, determination. And I guess this is where I will stay. For all its wackiness, court reporting seems to be just right for me. Jeanette Blalock, Blue Lake Reporting, Kodiak, Alaska
Kathy Robson: When I was in high school, my dad was on jury duty and came home talking about the court reporter and how interesting that job must be. So I checked into it. The community college nearby had a one-year theory program, so I started there. Then I transferred to another community college with a full program: West Valley College, Saratoga, CA. I believed in using "free" education rather than paying for private schooling. And they do a great job there. I graduated with a great deal of hard work and stick-to-it-iveness. You have to eat, breathe and taste that certification in the final year or so.
I worked as a freelancer for 10 years, then founded Cheetah Systems with my husband, Gary Robson. We became involved in producing captioning software, and so now I've been captioning for 15 years.
I have captioned the Oklahoma City bombing, earthquakes, floods and 9/11. One day while I was captioning a game, one of my cows gave birth less than 50 feet from my office window.
CART has allowed privileges. Probably I had the most fun when Deanna Baker married Scott Smith. I realtimed their ceremony to the CompuServe reporters group before anyone realtimed on the Internet. I editorialized what was said, writing who was there, what they were wearing, what Deanna and Scott were wearing, how they were acting, etc. Kathy Robson, RPR, CRR, Red Lodge, Montana
CART provider, official reporter who requested (insisted upon) anonymity: Right out of high school, I answered a computer school advertisement. I met the sales rep at a motel and paid a $100 deposit. The ‘school’ was one room with a few computer manuals and no computer(s) in sight. I’d been duped. When my check came back, it was cashed at a liquor store.
I then enrolled in a school that had mortuary science. (The richest dude in the entire area was the undertaker.) On the first day, they showed us cadavers; half of us dropped and lost our deposits.
In court reporting school, teachers told us about a rich court reporter in a mansion with sweeping staircases and a pool house. The day I graduated from court reporting school, we moved towing a U-haul with my spouse, and children (in cloth diapers). We drove by that mansion of this rich court reporter we always heard about while we were in school. I drove out of my way to see that house. We discovered that house was in a typical government housing tract built after WW II. Reporters in other cities confirmed similar mansion stories they heard when they were court reporting students.
Monette: The last professional is a pillar in our court reporting history. Oh, I begged to have permission to share that story. Trust me, I did.
Each person has a unique story how we got here – how we became involved in the court reporting profession. Did you see the similarities? I never would have guessed. But they’re here. This court reporter is still learning, still loving it. And you? Next month I share more.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
By Monette Benoit
Copyright 2008 by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Each person is a story. As I tutor and coach court reporters and students, I am continually asked: “How’d you get through it? How’d you get here?” I sent four questions to leaders – freelance reporters, officials, CART providers, captioners: How were you attracted to court reporting? How did you pick your school? What work did you do? What are you doing now?
I continue to learn, affirming: silent people recording history – court reporters – are fascinating individuals. I firmly believe we are all court reporting students – always– as we expand skills and goals.
Below is the first part of the responses I received.
Diane Emery: My dad was a vice detective and appeared in court. I was a Spanish major at US, University of South Florida, trying to earn a living with a Spanish degree. My dad said you should be a court reporter; it is a good career for a woman. I listened to my dad, went to court with him, talked with the official, Betty Lauria. I figured for a two-year program, I couldn’t go wrong. I loved the idea of being able to work anywhere in the world. The school was in my town. I was typing for the official in federal court when I was at 225 (wpm, word per minute) tests. There was an emergency hearing; I was the only person at the courthouse. The judge told me I was ready to be a reporter according to him, so I started working. Meanwhile, the school went out of business.
I worked in London at Old Bailey criminal court. I worked for a Bradenton freelance firm mainly covering administrative hearings. Then one of the attorneys I worked with saw me crying at a bar on a Friday night and asked why I was crying. I told him I had just quit and didn’t know what I was going to do. He told me to open a firm. I had a manual typewriter and one client. I started my agency in 1982. Diane T. Emery, CMRS, FPR, Executive Reporting Service, St. Petersburg, Florida, Serving Florida with five offices
Jeanette Blalock: I worked as a legal secretary in Texas. An attorney talked to me about reporting; his wife was a court reporter. Soon, I was a student. While in school, I wanted to be an official in court. I rushed through school, as I was going broke quickly. I spent all day at school, then another four to five hours each night on my machine, working on speed.
In a need to finish school faster, I followed my mentor, Monette, to Dallas and had her administer the qualifying exams I needed for Texas state testing. (Monette Benoit one of my beloved teachers from the early days of court reporting school. Here I am, almost 20 years later, still following her across the world. You see, good teachers never go away, they just become close friends)
So I finished school. Too broke to hang around for the next certification exam, I moved to Massachusetts, which was then a state with no certification. I flew back to Texas to take my test.
After being certified, I worked for freelance agencies. I loved the flexibility freelance work affords and managed a Corpus Christi firm. I now own my court reporting business in Alaska.
For years, I lived in the Interior of Alaska, in Delta Junction. I would drive 100 miles to Fairbanks for depositions. During summer months, I welcomed the drive. During winter it would fall to 50 or 60 below zero. Depositions don't cancel in the extreme cold. Often when you reached your deposition, there was not a place to plug in your vehicle. When this happens, you take breaks every couple of hours to head out and start your car; otherwise, your car will not start at the end of the day.
I now live in Kodiak. The weather is better, so people don't plug in their vehicles. There's not an abundance of work, so I help Alaska’s reporters. There are fewer than 20 reporters in the state. Reporters tend to be overworked; I also help with scoping and proofreading.
Opportunities for travel can be interesting. Sometimes reporters are flown to remote villages where they sleep in the school or someone's cabin. In villages, you are treated to Alaskan delicacies, seal soup, black bear and eggs for breakfast.
Court reporting has opened many fields. As a wordsmith, there are opportunities for variance. I have reported depositions, court, conventions, public meetings and I have provided CART (communication access realtime translation). I've followed groups around outdoor construction sites 20 below zero, capturing every word and taking breaks to warm my fingers. I even took a job for a couple of years for the Army as a technical editor.
How'd I get here? Through hard work, determination. And I guess this is where I will stay. For all its wackiness, court reporting seems to be just right for me. Jeanette Blalock, Blue Lake Reporting, Kodiak, Alaska
Kathy Robson: When I was in high school, my dad was on jury duty and came home talking about the court reporter and how interesting that job must be. So I checked into it. The community college nearby had a one-year theory program, so I started there. Then I transferred to another community college with a full program: West Valley College, Saratoga, CA. I believed in using "free" education rather than paying for private schooling. And they do a great job there. I graduated with a great deal of hard work and stick-to-it-iveness. You have to eat, breathe and taste that certification in the final year or so.
I worked as a freelancer for 10 years, then founded Cheetah Systems with my husband, Gary Robson. We became involved in producing captioning software, and so now I've been captioning for 15 years.
I have captioned the Oklahoma City bombing, earthquakes, floods and 9/11. One day while I was captioning a game, one of my cows gave birth less than 50 feet from my office window.
CART has allowed privileges. Probably I had the most fun when Deanna Baker married Scott Smith. I realtimed their ceremony to the CompuServe reporters group before anyone realtimed on the Internet. I editorialized what was said, writing who was there, what they were wearing, what Deanna and Scott were wearing, how they were acting, etc. Kathy Robson, RPR, CRR, Red Lodge, Montana
CART provider, official reporter who requested (insisted upon) anonymity: Right out of high school, I answered a computer school advertisement. I met the sales rep at a motel and paid a $100 deposit. The ‘school’ was one room with a few computer manuals and no computer(s) in sight. I’d been duped. When my check came back, it was cashed at a liquor store.
I then enrolled in a school that had mortuary science. (The richest dude in the entire area was the undertaker.) On the first day, they showed us cadavers; half of us dropped and lost our deposits.
In court reporting school, teachers told us about a rich court reporter in a mansion with sweeping staircases and a pool house. The day I graduated from court reporting school, we moved towing a U-haul with my spouse, and children (in cloth diapers). We drove by that mansion of this rich court reporter we always heard about while we were in school. I drove out of my way to see that house. We discovered that house was in a typical government housing tract built after WW II. Reporters in other cities confirmed similar mansion stories they heard when they were court reporting students.
Monette: The last professional is a pillar in our court reporting history. Oh, I begged to have permission to share that story. Trust me, I did.
Each person has a unique story how we got here – how we became involved in the court reporting profession. Did you see the similarities? I never would have guessed. But they’re here. This court reporter is still learning, still loving it. And you? Next month I share more.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
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