Punting, and Faux Pas Of The Century, Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Suddenly, rain began to flow – sideways – as we pre-tested equipment.
Phone lines went down. Internet service was interrupted; electrical grids were diverted away from our area.
And we, court reporting captioners took it all in stride.
We calmly continued to plug in equipment, then more equipment, then additional equipment.
Much later, after a large table was filled with cords, boxes, TVs, encoders, decoders, BNCs, RCAs, plasma equipment, and IT people began to scratch their heads, I have to share, we, the court reporting captioners, sat taller, put our shoulders back, made eye contact with little blinking and avoided prolonged sighing.
No, we had not had any lunch, though all others had dined sufficiently.
We continued to work and added additional surge protectors to send and receive NTSC composite transmissions, to create new transmissions and downconversions to analogue composites with conversions to SD/SDI components and connectors as new challenges continued to arrive – in realtime – and weather ramped up around our region. ...
After the towers providing backup equipment went down, we had to rethink our original plan.
We packed all our electrical equipment and looked out the windows to very darkened skies.
No, there were no umbrellas, no plastic bags. We were told to “run to your car.”
I paused before calmly sharing, “Court reporters do not run with electrical equipment during electrical storms across open gravel parking lots.” Then I smiled.
After loading equipment, I drained the rain from my hair and wrung out my skirt before I sat in the car.
Then we headed off to what I now termed the "Punting Plan."
No one saw our scramble – as it should be, in my opinion.
I had been up since 4 a.m. that last morning and paused, replying softly, “I was raised with three brothers. That person has three brothers. And that person has written every word people have spoken for eons. Surely you can tell us.”
The man looked to me, “Three brothers?”
I nodded.
He laughed, “Well, then you can handle this!” And he proceeded to share a moment from an international event 15 years ago.
As he began to share “the huge captioning faux pas of the century” (his words) surrounded by a group of men who clearly knew the wording, I stood tall and gasped. Then I finished the sentence for him with the original spoken word and the result that tranned across the large screens.
This man gasped and said, “Oh, my God! That was your company! You were onsite! I thought you looked familiar. You were one of the captioners on that job! Wow, we’ve taken that error around the world with us. That was hysterical! Thank you!”
The group howled with laughter while I did exhale, did roll my eyes and did not stand tall.
It took the wind out of my sails for a few moments as they slapped their thighs and laughed.
After all our work, after all the detailed prep, after five days of hurricane-related storms, and what was the exiting comment after I had to create a Punting Plan? An untran – one untran from 15 years ago?
Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part I of III is posted October 10, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted October 20, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Monette's Musings is a blog containing information for busy professionals, students and individuals who are fearless and seek to create their success each day.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Punting, and Faux Pas Of The Century, Part II of III
Punting, and Faux Pas Of The Century, Part II of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Suddenly, rain began to flow – sideways – as we pretested equipment.
Phone lines went down. Internet service was interrupted; electrical grids were diverted away from our area. And we, court reporting captioners, took it all in stride.
We calmly continued to plug in equipment, then more equipment, then additional equipment.
Much later, after a large table was filled with cords, boxes, TVs, encoders, decoders, BNCs, RCAs and plasma equipment, and IT people began to scratch their heads, I have to share – we, the court reporting captioners, sat taller, put our shoulders back, made eye contact with little blinking and avoided prolonged sighing. No, we had not had any lunch, though all others had dined sufficiently.
We continued to work and added additional surge protectors to send and receive NTSC composite transmissions, to create new transmissions and downconversions to analogue composites with conversions to SD/SDI components and connectors as new challenges continued to arrive – in realtime – and weather ramped up around our region.
Individuals were checking emergency BlackBerry messages, then quickly exiting rooms, pale and wide-eyed to run down a hallway.
Protein shakes were sipped among several people “to keep our energy up,” they shared.
(We were not given any protein beverages because “you have an empty stomach, and you don’t want that,” we were told.)
Then I closed the door to make one phone call while we continued to search equipment in our magic bag of tricks.
Within minutes a man opened the door with one swift motion and froze, staring at us (and the table with equipment), his feet apart.
I paused and softly said, “This is going to perhaps be an unusual question. Do you happen to have a new ‘female connector’ here?”
The man inhaled quickly. “I’m just a business person. I can’t help at all.” He exited as quickly as he entered and did not look back.
The captioner and I avoided eye contact (to avoid laughter) and went back to work.
After the towers providing backup equipment went down, we had to rethink our original plan.
We packed all our electrical equipment and looked out the windows to very darkened skies.
No, there were no umbrellas, no plastic bags. We were told to “run to your car.”
I paused before calmly sharing, “Court reporters do not run with electrical equipment during electrical storms across open gravel parking lots.” Then I smiled.
After loading equipment, I drained the rain from my hair and wrung out my skirt before I sat in the car.
Then we headed off to what I now termed the "Punting Plan."
No one saw our scramble – as it should be, in my opinion.
When we succeeded with the Punting Plan and created magic appearing on the multiple huge dropdown screens for local and international viewing, we did not exhale or roll our eyes. We quietly went to work. Court reporters, CART providers and captioners get the job done.
We captioned all requests (with multiple schedules).
When we finished the last event and packed equipment, we strolled to the main suite to share that we were leaving.
As we shook hands, exchanging final work details, the man in charge of this entire international event looked to me and said, “That was excellent! Excellent!”
We beamed, standing tall, shoulders back, loaded down with equipment in each hand.
He continued, “But you would never believe the captioning error we saw years ago. It was the error of the century! We, videographers and technicians, still talk about it – it has traveled around the world! I can’t tell you; it’s much too crude. But it sure was funny.”
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part I of III is posted October 10, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted October 31, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Monette's Musings is a blog containing information for busy professionals, students and individuals who are fearless and seek to create their success each day.
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Suddenly, rain began to flow – sideways – as we pretested equipment.
Phone lines went down. Internet service was interrupted; electrical grids were diverted away from our area. And we, court reporting captioners, took it all in stride.
We calmly continued to plug in equipment, then more equipment, then additional equipment.
Much later, after a large table was filled with cords, boxes, TVs, encoders, decoders, BNCs, RCAs and plasma equipment, and IT people began to scratch their heads, I have to share – we, the court reporting captioners, sat taller, put our shoulders back, made eye contact with little blinking and avoided prolonged sighing. No, we had not had any lunch, though all others had dined sufficiently.
We continued to work and added additional surge protectors to send and receive NTSC composite transmissions, to create new transmissions and downconversions to analogue composites with conversions to SD/SDI components and connectors as new challenges continued to arrive – in realtime – and weather ramped up around our region.
Individuals were checking emergency BlackBerry messages, then quickly exiting rooms, pale and wide-eyed to run down a hallway.
Protein shakes were sipped among several people “to keep our energy up,” they shared.
(We were not given any protein beverages because “you have an empty stomach, and you don’t want that,” we were told.)
Then I closed the door to make one phone call while we continued to search equipment in our magic bag of tricks.
Within minutes a man opened the door with one swift motion and froze, staring at us (and the table with equipment), his feet apart.
I paused and softly said, “This is going to perhaps be an unusual question. Do you happen to have a new ‘female connector’ here?”
The man inhaled quickly. “I’m just a business person. I can’t help at all.” He exited as quickly as he entered and did not look back.
The captioner and I avoided eye contact (to avoid laughter) and went back to work.
After the towers providing backup equipment went down, we had to rethink our original plan.
We packed all our electrical equipment and looked out the windows to very darkened skies.
No, there were no umbrellas, no plastic bags. We were told to “run to your car.”
I paused before calmly sharing, “Court reporters do not run with electrical equipment during electrical storms across open gravel parking lots.” Then I smiled.
After loading equipment, I drained the rain from my hair and wrung out my skirt before I sat in the car.
Then we headed off to what I now termed the "Punting Plan."
No one saw our scramble – as it should be, in my opinion.
When we succeeded with the Punting Plan and created magic appearing on the multiple huge dropdown screens for local and international viewing, we did not exhale or roll our eyes. We quietly went to work. Court reporters, CART providers and captioners get the job done.
We captioned all requests (with multiple schedules).
When we finished the last event and packed equipment, we strolled to the main suite to share that we were leaving.
As we shook hands, exchanging final work details, the man in charge of this entire international event looked to me and said, “That was excellent! Excellent!”
We beamed, standing tall, shoulders back, loaded down with equipment in each hand.
He continued, “But you would never believe the captioning error we saw years ago. It was the error of the century! We, videographers and technicians, still talk about it – it has traveled around the world! I can’t tell you; it’s much too crude. But it sure was funny.”
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part I of III is posted October 10, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted October 31, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Monette's Musings is a blog containing information for busy professionals, students and individuals who are fearless and seek to create their success each day.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Punting, and Faux Pas Of The Century, Part I of III
Punting, and Faux Pas Of The Century, Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
This is a wonderful profession. Each day is different. Each request is unique. Our work creates memorable (and humbling) moments.
We are embraced into new opportunities – each in realtime – as we move forward, serving others with new technology.
While focusing on fulfilling multiple service job requests I had the opportunity to work with technical people from multiple international companies.
The event I am detailing herein involved professionals with the same goal: combine and coordinate technology, talents, skills, and all equipment to present live captioning for the international event.
As we compared technical information, software, hardware, cords, wireless equipment, people’s schedules, time zones, multiple languages and numerous details, a hurricane began to approach.
That just can’t be good news as people are buried with years of work to provide a meticulous service, now can it?
Suddenly, rain began to flow – sideways – as we pretested equipment.
Phone lines went down.
Internet service was interrupted; electrical grids were diverted away from our area. And we, court reporting captioners, took it all in stride.
We calmly continued to plug in equipment, then more equipment, then additional equipment.
Much later, after a large table was filled with cords, boxes, TVs, encoders, decoders, BNCs, RCAs, and plasma equipment, and IT people began to scratch their heads, I have to share – we, the court reporting captioners, sat taller, put our shoulders back, made eye contact with little blinking and avoided prolonged sighing.
No, we had not had any lunch, though all others had dined sufficiently.
We continued to work and added additional surge protectors to send and receive NTSC composite transmissions, to create new transmissions and downconversions to analogue composites with conversions to SD/SDI components and connectors as new challenges continued to arrive – in realtime – and weather ramped up around our region.
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted October 20, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted October 31, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Monette's Musings is a blog containing information for busy professionals, students and individuals who are fearless and seek to create their success each day.
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
This is a wonderful profession. Each day is different. Each request is unique. Our work creates memorable (and humbling) moments.
We are embraced into new opportunities – each in realtime – as we move forward, serving others with new technology.
While focusing on fulfilling multiple service job requests I had the opportunity to work with technical people from multiple international companies.
The event I am detailing herein involved professionals with the same goal: combine and coordinate technology, talents, skills, and all equipment to present live captioning for the international event.
As we compared technical information, software, hardware, cords, wireless equipment, people’s schedules, time zones, multiple languages and numerous details, a hurricane began to approach.
That just can’t be good news as people are buried with years of work to provide a meticulous service, now can it?
Suddenly, rain began to flow – sideways – as we pretested equipment.
Phone lines went down.
Internet service was interrupted; electrical grids were diverted away from our area. And we, court reporting captioners, took it all in stride.
We calmly continued to plug in equipment, then more equipment, then additional equipment.
Much later, after a large table was filled with cords, boxes, TVs, encoders, decoders, BNCs, RCAs, and plasma equipment, and IT people began to scratch their heads, I have to share – we, the court reporting captioners, sat taller, put our shoulders back, made eye contact with little blinking and avoided prolonged sighing.
No, we had not had any lunch, though all others had dined sufficiently.
We continued to work and added additional surge protectors to send and receive NTSC composite transmissions, to create new transmissions and downconversions to analogue composites with conversions to SD/SDI components and connectors as new challenges continued to arrive – in realtime – and weather ramped up around our region.
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted October 20, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted October 31, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Monette's Musings is a blog containing information for busy professionals, students and individuals who are fearless and seek to create their success each day.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
What ‘They’ Really Want … Part III of III
What ‘They’ Really Want … Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I began: What do ‘they’ really want when CART and captioning services are requested? After listening to recent requests I swear I could do stand-up comedy for SNL, Saturday Night Live.
More and more, I pause long and hard before I begin to suggest words to help the person asking for services.
And now and then, I am stunned into silence.
Back in July 1999, I wrote “CART’s Believe It Or Not: Questions Asked By Hearing People” for my column, posted at www.CRRbooks.com and www.monettebenoit.com.
Part II began: Last week I received a call to CART/caption a large arena.
The dude asked me to “describe what it is you bring – to include printers and walkie-talkies. We need to know it all. We don’t have an outline, and we’re taking bids. Just send us yours, okay? Then we’ll get other bids and get back to you.”
He then informed me that whatever fee I charged, “after teaching us what it is you do, we need to build a fee on top of your fee for my boss.”
And the nature of the work request?
Technical, technical, way-high technical.
Oh, I cautioned him about going into this event with the lowest bidder.
Part III: How was that resolved?
The man was fired – walked to the door by security – two hours later (cause unrelated, I was later informed).
Then I received a call from the man who replaced the (first) man, and he (second man – really ‘new’ in his field by his words) asked me to bring him “up to speed on this thing.” Oh, yes, he did.
The first man then spoke to me, late morning, drinking his “first beer” post-firing, and cautioned me. Oh, yes, he did.
Then my office received a call.
The individual stated that he “is desperate.”
I prioritized my work, returned his call.
He said – I swear this is true – “We have people who are physically disabled. We don’t know what’s wrong with ‘em, but we need you to help them.”
I asked how I might help (using his word).
He said, “I don’t know. What do you do? I was told to call you. They have physical problems – lots of them.”
Ah. Clear as mud.
Today we finished details to CART a convention.
The woman in charge (with whom I have worked before) said, “There are two hotels in the city with the same name. Will you need the correct address, so you can ‘really’ be there?”
I replied, “Yes, ma’am,” sans rolling eyes.
As I finished this article, a company phoned about CART/captioning. I asked for details.
The man said (get this): “Well, the way I figure it to do the kind of work you do you must be psychic. You do have a crystal ball, right? I’m sure you really know what we really need, don’t you?”
What do ‘they’ really want?
Some days I wonder if it’s a Ouija board (my first year of reporting there was one in the office – only for fun) or if it’s a court reporter on their toes, fingertips blazing new trails, inspired to invent new territories.
Oh, right, that ‘is’ what we really do each day, each event. Hmm.
And there you really have it.
Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part I of III is posted September 3, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted September 13, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I began: What do ‘they’ really want when CART and captioning services are requested? After listening to recent requests I swear I could do stand-up comedy for SNL, Saturday Night Live.
More and more, I pause long and hard before I begin to suggest words to help the person asking for services.
And now and then, I am stunned into silence.
Back in July 1999, I wrote “CART’s Believe It Or Not: Questions Asked By Hearing People” for my column, posted at www.CRRbooks.com and www.monettebenoit.com.
Part II began: Last week I received a call to CART/caption a large arena.
The dude asked me to “describe what it is you bring – to include printers and walkie-talkies. We need to know it all. We don’t have an outline, and we’re taking bids. Just send us yours, okay? Then we’ll get other bids and get back to you.”
He then informed me that whatever fee I charged, “after teaching us what it is you do, we need to build a fee on top of your fee for my boss.”
And the nature of the work request?
Technical, technical, way-high technical.
Oh, I cautioned him about going into this event with the lowest bidder.
Part III: How was that resolved?
The man was fired – walked to the door by security – two hours later (cause unrelated, I was later informed).
Then I received a call from the man who replaced the (first) man, and he (second man – really ‘new’ in his field by his words) asked me to bring him “up to speed on this thing.” Oh, yes, he did.
The first man then spoke to me, late morning, drinking his “first beer” post-firing, and cautioned me. Oh, yes, he did.
Then my office received a call.
The individual stated that he “is desperate.”
I prioritized my work, returned his call.
He said – I swear this is true – “We have people who are physically disabled. We don’t know what’s wrong with ‘em, but we need you to help them.”
I asked how I might help (using his word).
He said, “I don’t know. What do you do? I was told to call you. They have physical problems – lots of them.”
Ah. Clear as mud.
Today we finished details to CART a convention.
The woman in charge (with whom I have worked before) said, “There are two hotels in the city with the same name. Will you need the correct address, so you can ‘really’ be there?”
I replied, “Yes, ma’am,” sans rolling eyes.
As I finished this article, a company phoned about CART/captioning. I asked for details.
The man said (get this): “Well, the way I figure it to do the kind of work you do you must be psychic. You do have a crystal ball, right? I’m sure you really know what we really need, don’t you?”
What do ‘they’ really want?
Some days I wonder if it’s a Ouija board (my first year of reporting there was one in the office – only for fun) or if it’s a court reporter on their toes, fingertips blazing new trails, inspired to invent new territories.
Oh, right, that ‘is’ what we really do each day, each event. Hmm.
And there you really have it.
Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part I of III is posted September 3, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted September 13, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Monday, September 13, 2010
What ‘They’ Really Want … Part II of III
What ‘They’ Really Want … Part II of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I began: What do ‘they’ really want when CART and captioning services are requested? After listening to recent requests I swear I could do stand-up comedy for SNL, Saturday Night Live.
More and more, I pause long and hard before I begin to suggest words to help the person asking for services.
And now and then, I am stunned into silence.
Back in July 1999, I wrote “CART’s Believe It Or Not: Questions Asked By Hearing People” for my column, posted at www.CRRbooks.com and www.monettebenoit.com.
I continue to receive wonderful feedback from Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers who rely on our services, as well as from CART providers, captioners, and students seeking to enter the path.
The conversations I detailed in that article were events prompted by hearing individuals – not needing services – adding opinions or questions (sometimes tart).
Multiple conversations resulted in the consumer(s) – person(s) receiving services – apologizing to me.
Each time I worked to remain in court reporter role.
Part II:
Then the 'specialist' asked my thoughts on speech recognition, their (her words here) accuracy rates, their services, their written summary and so on.
I pulled that train back into the station.
I focused on the original CART request.
The ‘specialist’ hammered the “expensive” cost. I had not yet quoted a price.
When we ended our first call, I shared softly, “Ma’am, I see your e-mail footer includes ‘equal access for all.’ Right now, your footer is more accurately described as ‘access for all’ without the word ‘equal.’ ”
She almost agreed with me.
We buttoned details, and when the specialist phoned the next day, she had found a CART provider to provide “equal access, though the person is much cheaper than I thought.”
I asked her to keep my number and suggested NCRA’s web site, too. Hmm.
Within 24 hours I received a call from a university for CART services.
“They need you to phone right now!” Thus, I did.
The counseling services personnel shared, “We need information on your company’s CART services,” and added an interesting caveat: “We need all your information in print. In fact, the more words you use, in print, the better.” Hmm.
I asked if services were needed in the near future? No.
Were CART services needed down the road? No.
I asked why she was asking for information “with as many words as you can put in print, which we need yesterday” (her wording).
She replied, “Because we need it; it will help us!” Hmm.
When I casually mentioned this conversation with a friend who runs a counseling program within an academic setting, my friend roared with laughter.
She said, “Oh, Monette. They’re applying for a grant. Words have specific points. You’re being asked to provide material for their grant. And if they get it, it – for sure – does not mean you provide the work.” Hmm.
Last week I received a call to CART/caption a large arena.
The dude asked me to “describe what it is you bring – to include printers and walkie-talkies. We need to know it all. We don’t have an outline, and we’re taking bids. Just send us yours, okay? Then we’ll get other bids and get back to you.”
He then informed me that whatever fee I charged, “after teaching us what it is you do, we need to build a fee on top of your fee for my boss.”
And the nature of the work request?
Technical, technical, way-high technical.
Oh, I cautioned him about going into this event with the lowest bidder.
Part III of III is posted September 27, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part I of III is posted September 3, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I began: What do ‘they’ really want when CART and captioning services are requested? After listening to recent requests I swear I could do stand-up comedy for SNL, Saturday Night Live.
More and more, I pause long and hard before I begin to suggest words to help the person asking for services.
And now and then, I am stunned into silence.
Back in July 1999, I wrote “CART’s Believe It Or Not: Questions Asked By Hearing People” for my column, posted at www.CRRbooks.com and www.monettebenoit.com.
I continue to receive wonderful feedback from Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers who rely on our services, as well as from CART providers, captioners, and students seeking to enter the path.
The conversations I detailed in that article were events prompted by hearing individuals – not needing services – adding opinions or questions (sometimes tart).
Multiple conversations resulted in the consumer(s) – person(s) receiving services – apologizing to me.
Each time I worked to remain in court reporter role.
Part II:
Then the 'specialist' asked my thoughts on speech recognition, their (her words here) accuracy rates, their services, their written summary and so on.
I pulled that train back into the station.
I focused on the original CART request.
The ‘specialist’ hammered the “expensive” cost. I had not yet quoted a price.
When we ended our first call, I shared softly, “Ma’am, I see your e-mail footer includes ‘equal access for all.’ Right now, your footer is more accurately described as ‘access for all’ without the word ‘equal.’ ”
She almost agreed with me.
We buttoned details, and when the specialist phoned the next day, she had found a CART provider to provide “equal access, though the person is much cheaper than I thought.”
I asked her to keep my number and suggested NCRA’s web site, too. Hmm.
Within 24 hours I received a call from a university for CART services.
“They need you to phone right now!” Thus, I did.
The counseling services personnel shared, “We need information on your company’s CART services,” and added an interesting caveat: “We need all your information in print. In fact, the more words you use, in print, the better.” Hmm.
I asked if services were needed in the near future? No.
Were CART services needed down the road? No.
I asked why she was asking for information “with as many words as you can put in print, which we need yesterday” (her wording).
She replied, “Because we need it; it will help us!” Hmm.
When I casually mentioned this conversation with a friend who runs a counseling program within an academic setting, my friend roared with laughter.
She said, “Oh, Monette. They’re applying for a grant. Words have specific points. You’re being asked to provide material for their grant. And if they get it, it – for sure – does not mean you provide the work.” Hmm.
Last week I received a call to CART/caption a large arena.
The dude asked me to “describe what it is you bring – to include printers and walkie-talkies. We need to know it all. We don’t have an outline, and we’re taking bids. Just send us yours, okay? Then we’ll get other bids and get back to you.”
He then informed me that whatever fee I charged, “after teaching us what it is you do, we need to build a fee on top of your fee for my boss.”
And the nature of the work request?
Technical, technical, way-high technical.
Oh, I cautioned him about going into this event with the lowest bidder.
Part III of III is posted September 27, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part I of III is posted September 3, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
What ‘They’ Really Want … Part I of III
What ‘They’ Really Want … Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
What do ‘they’ really want when CART and captioning services are requested? After listening to recent requests I swear I could do stand-up comedy for SNL, Saturday Night Live.
More and more, I pause long and hard before I begin to suggest words to help the person asking for services.
And now and then, I am stunned into silence.
Back in July 1999, I wrote “CART’s Believe It Or Not: Questions Asked By Hearing People” for my column, posted at www.CRRbooks.com and www.monettebenoit.com.
I continue to receive wonderful feedback from Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers who rely on our services, as well as from CART providers, captioners, and students seeking to enter the path.
The conversations I detailed in that article were events prompted by hearing individuals – not needing services – adding opinions or questions (sometimes tart).
Multiple conversations resulted in the consumer(s) – person(s) receiving services – apologizing to me.
Each time I worked to remain in court reporter role.
You know the blank look, professional posture; perhaps a hard blink to process words directed to me.
I now keep a little list. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m being punked or if this is, “Okay, everyone, gather around; we’re headed back to square one!”
When requests begin with “I know you charge lots of money,” I know we’re headed into an area I like to deliberately avoid.
Many CART and captioning requests, with similar wording, arrive from student services in educational settings and may arrive from individuals who only schedule sign interpreting.
A recent conversation (I cannot make this up) to All American Realtime/Captioning Services, www.ARTCS.com, began with the words: “We need remote work – it can be with you for CART or we can use a cheaper service. That’s good enough!” I remember gasping.
I cautiously, softly, began asking questions to see if the request actually was for services that would benefit the consumer. Yes.
The individual did not sign. CART is what the student requested. Hmm.
Then the ‘specialist’ (she used her title often) said – I wrote it down – “Look, I know you are expensive. CART is wonderful but expensive. We don’t need it all – every word. And that would be good enough for the student.” I blinked hard.
Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted September 13, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted September 27, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
What do ‘they’ really want when CART and captioning services are requested? After listening to recent requests I swear I could do stand-up comedy for SNL, Saturday Night Live.
More and more, I pause long and hard before I begin to suggest words to help the person asking for services.
And now and then, I am stunned into silence.
Back in July 1999, I wrote “CART’s Believe It Or Not: Questions Asked By Hearing People” for my column, posted at www.CRRbooks.com and www.monettebenoit.com.
I continue to receive wonderful feedback from Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers who rely on our services, as well as from CART providers, captioners, and students seeking to enter the path.
The conversations I detailed in that article were events prompted by hearing individuals – not needing services – adding opinions or questions (sometimes tart).
Multiple conversations resulted in the consumer(s) – person(s) receiving services – apologizing to me.
Each time I worked to remain in court reporter role.
You know the blank look, professional posture; perhaps a hard blink to process words directed to me.
I now keep a little list. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m being punked or if this is, “Okay, everyone, gather around; we’re headed back to square one!”
When requests begin with “I know you charge lots of money,” I know we’re headed into an area I like to deliberately avoid.
Many CART and captioning requests, with similar wording, arrive from student services in educational settings and may arrive from individuals who only schedule sign interpreting.
A recent conversation (I cannot make this up) to All American Realtime/Captioning Services, www.ARTCS.com, began with the words: “We need remote work – it can be with you for CART or we can use a cheaper service. That’s good enough!” I remember gasping.
I cautiously, softly, began asking questions to see if the request actually was for services that would benefit the consumer. Yes.
The individual did not sign. CART is what the student requested. Hmm.
Then the ‘specialist’ (she used her title often) said – I wrote it down – “Look, I know you are expensive. CART is wonderful but expensive. We don’t need it all – every word. And that would be good enough for the student.” I blinked hard.
Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted September 13, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted September 27, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
"Shelley Arthur: Consummate Professional And Important Friend," Part III
"Shelley Arthur: Consummate Professional And Important Friend," Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
I want to highlight and celebrate the life of a dear friend, court reporter, CART provider, and broadcast captioner.
Shelley Darlene Arthur of Vancouver, Canada, was passionate about her work, our profession, and working with deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) and animals.
No one – and I mean no one – could cover your back like Shelley Arthur.
She was a court reporter, mentor, role model, advocate, generous, enthusiastic, spirited, funny, kind, and totally committed to moments involving humans and animals. And she was so loyal to her friends and beliefs, too.
In 2000, Shelley Arthur opened Visual Voice Captions.
Shelley was Level II ASL (American Sign Language), devoted to her work with deaf and HOH.
She was also a dedicated advocate for animal rights. My favorite picture is Shelley swimming with dolphins; she wrote, “And they understand ASL!” on the caption.
As a court reporter, remote and onsite CART provider, captioner, Webcaster, and consultant, Shelley worked in the Senate of Canada, the U.S. Senate, and the United Nations.
She provided court reporting and consulting services, wrote articles, conducted seminars, and served on the BCSRA, British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association, advisory council.
Shelley traveled (writing me detailed e-mails) to Korea, Sri Lanka, India, the Amazon Rain Forest, and World AIDS conferences in Mexico City, Kenya, and South Africa, sharing her reporting and CART skills.
Shelley was dedicated to (a sampling) Cameryn’s Cause for Kids Society; Sign Language for Children; idratherbeflying.net (Shelley recently spent two months to organize next year’s deaf pilots Fly-In); Representative Organisation of Disabled People in Europe; and International Day of Persons With Disabilities UN Enable, among others.
Shelley Arthur “coined the term ‘UN Enable’ and created their logo with the red ‘e’ in 1998” when she built their first web site. “It was a play on the negative word ‘unable’ to hopefully create controversy and bring attention. It stuck. The term ‘UN Enable’ is now used as the name of the UN global Programme on Disability, and earned a high-level URL: www.un.org/disabilities.”
I want to share the Shelly Arthur I knew.
Part III
When someone contacted me with questions, now and then, I’d e-mail Shelley.
Shelley always replied. Just ask Michelle Coffey in Ireland. Michelle and Shelley (and many others) became friends as Shelley encouraged each with her wisdom and humor.
Shelley was a detail person. She always inquired about my world and knew the names of family members.
When I had animal (and human) questions, she was a go-to person always responding with info and funny comments.
December 5th, 2009, I felt a shift. Truly. I checked my appointment calendar.
I phoned my office. I felt that I was missing something important. I asked a few people to note this “missing something important” – so I could cover my tracks.
Then I rechecked my professional and personal schedule.
When I learned Shelley Arthur died December 5th, I gasped.
At the precise moment I learned about Shelley’s passing, my dog (whom Shelley knew) ran into the room playfully nudging my leg.
This animal had never playfully placed her nose into my thigh while I was near my computer. Never.
I put my head down to digest the news, and my dog continued to playfully nudge my leg – and has not nudged me since.
I reached out to Shelley’s mother, Maureen Connelly Arthur.
Maureen wrote that they dedicated a bench in Shelley’s honor within Spirit Park on Tsolum River.
You are invited to “pause in nature with Shelley.” Donations in Shelley Darlene Arthur’s memory may be made to www.pfne.org, the National Great Pyrenees Rescue.
Maureen, Shelley’s mother, wrote that she was sending me a “small” gift.
When I opened the package, I gasped.
Maureen had chosen a necklace I often observed on Shelley.
When I first saw the necklace on Shelley I softly shared, “I have the same necklace. Before my brother Kevin died, he designed the necklace from a drawing I drew showing ‘how it should look’. The necklace broke after Kevin’s death, August 5, 2000, and it’s now in an envelope. There it remains.”
I remember Shelley giving me a hug. We smiled; no words necessary. Then we went back to work.
Each time I saw the necklace I would smile. Shelley understood.
When I opened the gift from Maureen, and saw the necklace Shelley and I had often commented upon, I had a sudden chill.
There is no way Maureen could have known how special (and unusual) that necklace was to me.
I now have Shelley’s necklace, gifted from her mother Maureen Connelly Arthur, hanging in my office.
And I wrote Maureen thanking her for confirming the unique friendship, the spiritual contract, I had with Shelley.
I now know I did miss something important December 5th, 2009 – Shelley Arthur. I am grateful for all she shared and need to say, “I really miss you, Shelley!”
Shelley’s mother may be reached: Maureen1208@telus.net
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
I want to highlight and celebrate the life of a dear friend, court reporter, CART provider, and broadcast captioner.
Shelley Darlene Arthur of Vancouver, Canada, was passionate about her work, our profession, and working with deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) and animals.
No one – and I mean no one – could cover your back like Shelley Arthur.
She was a court reporter, mentor, role model, advocate, generous, enthusiastic, spirited, funny, kind, and totally committed to moments involving humans and animals. And she was so loyal to her friends and beliefs, too.
In 2000, Shelley Arthur opened Visual Voice Captions.
Shelley was Level II ASL (American Sign Language), devoted to her work with deaf and HOH.
She was also a dedicated advocate for animal rights. My favorite picture is Shelley swimming with dolphins; she wrote, “And they understand ASL!” on the caption.
As a court reporter, remote and onsite CART provider, captioner, Webcaster, and consultant, Shelley worked in the Senate of Canada, the U.S. Senate, and the United Nations.
She provided court reporting and consulting services, wrote articles, conducted seminars, and served on the BCSRA, British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association, advisory council.
Shelley traveled (writing me detailed e-mails) to Korea, Sri Lanka, India, the Amazon Rain Forest, and World AIDS conferences in Mexico City, Kenya, and South Africa, sharing her reporting and CART skills.
Shelley was dedicated to (a sampling) Cameryn’s Cause for Kids Society; Sign Language for Children; idratherbeflying.net (Shelley recently spent two months to organize next year’s deaf pilots Fly-In); Representative Organisation of Disabled People in Europe; and International Day of Persons With Disabilities UN Enable, among others.
Shelley Arthur “coined the term ‘UN Enable’ and created their logo with the red ‘e’ in 1998” when she built their first web site. “It was a play on the negative word ‘unable’ to hopefully create controversy and bring attention. It stuck. The term ‘UN Enable’ is now used as the name of the UN global Programme on Disability, and earned a high-level URL: www.un.org/disabilities.”
I want to share the Shelly Arthur I knew.
Part III
When someone contacted me with questions, now and then, I’d e-mail Shelley.
Shelley always replied. Just ask Michelle Coffey in Ireland. Michelle and Shelley (and many others) became friends as Shelley encouraged each with her wisdom and humor.
Shelley was a detail person. She always inquired about my world and knew the names of family members.
When I had animal (and human) questions, she was a go-to person always responding with info and funny comments.
December 5th, 2009, I felt a shift. Truly. I checked my appointment calendar.
I phoned my office. I felt that I was missing something important. I asked a few people to note this “missing something important” – so I could cover my tracks.
Then I rechecked my professional and personal schedule.
When I learned Shelley Arthur died December 5th, I gasped.
At the precise moment I learned about Shelley’s passing, my dog (whom Shelley knew) ran into the room playfully nudging my leg.
This animal had never playfully placed her nose into my thigh while I was near my computer. Never.
I put my head down to digest the news, and my dog continued to playfully nudge my leg – and has not nudged me since.
I reached out to Shelley’s mother, Maureen Connelly Arthur.
Maureen wrote that they dedicated a bench in Shelley’s honor within Spirit Park on Tsolum River.
You are invited to “pause in nature with Shelley.” Donations in Shelley Darlene Arthur’s memory may be made to www.pfne.org, the National Great Pyrenees Rescue.
Maureen, Shelley’s mother, wrote that she was sending me a “small” gift.
When I opened the package, I gasped.
Maureen had chosen a necklace I often observed on Shelley.
When I first saw the necklace on Shelley I softly shared, “I have the same necklace. Before my brother Kevin died, he designed the necklace from a drawing I drew showing ‘how it should look’. The necklace broke after Kevin’s death, August 5, 2000, and it’s now in an envelope. There it remains.”
I remember Shelley giving me a hug. We smiled; no words necessary. Then we went back to work.
Each time I saw the necklace I would smile. Shelley understood.
When I opened the gift from Maureen, and saw the necklace Shelley and I had often commented upon, I had a sudden chill.
There is no way Maureen could have known how special (and unusual) that necklace was to me.
I now have Shelley’s necklace, gifted from her mother Maureen Connelly Arthur, hanging in my office.
And I wrote Maureen thanking her for confirming the unique friendship, the spiritual contract, I had with Shelley.
I now know I did miss something important December 5th, 2009 – Shelley Arthur. I am grateful for all she shared and need to say, “I really miss you, Shelley!”
Shelley’s mother may be reached: Maureen1208@telus.net
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
Monday, May 10, 2010
"Shelley Arthur: Consummate Professional And Important Friend," Part II of III
"Shelley Arthur: Consummate Professional And Important Friend," Part II of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
I want to highlight and celebrate the life of a dear friend, court reporter, CART provider, and broadcast captioner.
Shelley Darlene Arthur of Vancouver, Canada, was passionate about her work, our profession, and working with deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) and animals.
No one – and I mean no one – could cover your back like Shelley Arthur.
She was a court reporter, mentor, role model, advocate, generous, enthusiastic, spirited, funny, kind, and totally committed to moments involving humans and animals. And she was so loyal to her friends and beliefs, too.
If there was a new item, a discussion, a fact – positive or perhaps not so positive to our world and to the world of animals – Shelley would write, “Did you see this? You need to read this.” “What do you think about …?” “Check this out!”
She shared her knowledge and talents with people all over the world.
Shelley Arthur had been my friend almost 14 years. We worked and played together; my life is better because of Shelley.
In 1988, Shelley Arthur became a court reporter, opening a court reporting firm. I met Shelley around 1996 when she was very involved in the CART community.
Our CART paths continued to cross and a friendship developed.
She expanded her work to include fulfilling requests and streaming text for disability and educational institutions, businesses, judicial environments, religious services, sporting events, and international arbitrations.
In 2000, Shelley Arthur opened Visual Voice Captions.
Part II
I want to share the Shelly Arthur I knew. As our friendship grew, we learned I was speaking at a convention she was attending. We had never met in person; nor had I seen a picture.
Yet I could recognize her voice from webcasting, remote CART and projects Shelley and I worked on for my company, All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc., www.artcs.com
A group was arriving to greet me at the airport. Unknown to me, Shelley rented a car, arriving early. She was good to go in jeans, petite sneakers and information she wanted to share now! Together, we met the court reporting group and had a marvelous evening.
Shelley lived with Kayla, her Pyrenees boo bear, sharing her home with Ms. Tiggy, a cat. (Shelley wrote about “Sam, the goat, who lives outdoors, staring inside.”)
She was proud to be an Air Force brat and described long transcontinental flights as a child with her sister visiting parents.
Shelley signed e-mails, “Hugs From Shelley & The Critters,” and shared events as Kayla aged to 14 years.
When Kayla deafened, Shelley communicated via sign language.
When I e-mailed, Shelley in Vancouver, she quickly responded.
Often they were snowed in, and she wrote, “but I need to walk Kayla.”
From Texas I would write, “How do you walk a large white dog when you are snowed in?”
Shelley, “First I dug out of the house. Then we walked the riverbank; Kayla saw a bird, enjoyed playing on the drifts. We’re defrosting now. It’s beautiful!”
I flew Shelley into multiple cities to work during NCRA, National Court Reporters Association, conventions within my Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs, www.CRRbooks.com, exhibit booth.
She also helped me when I conducted multiple U.S.A. and Canadian seminars.
I always knew she had my back. Always.
The morning of our first show, Shelley appeared in the exact outfit (matching top, long skirt).
Checking tags on the outfit (yes, same), I saw Shelley’s watch on her right arm - the exact antique silver bracelet watch (with two stones) I was wearing on my left arm.
People questioned if I thought this was odd. I laughed, “Not at all. We’re good.”
Shelley had a great laugh. I have memories of her chatting and laughing with court reporters, teachers, vendors, and court reporting students – bringing someone to meet me – waiting for the moment to step in and say, “Monette, you need to …”
She had such a special gift helping others.
Shelley Arthur knew Reiki healing and after 15-hour days, we would sit quietly, feet up. One evening I gifted her with a hotel full-body massage.
Later Shelley stopped by to thank me. Oh, I had never seen such a smile.
“And the male masseuse was good looking, too,” she beamed.
We would stay post-events two days to wrap-up work and unwind.
As I prepared to fly home, Shelley prepped for two days of travel to return to her Vancouver island home.
She showed me itineraries, which included (my words) big plane, small plane, tiny plane, hotel, car ride, ferry ride, ride from ferry, pick up animals, then ride home. I marveled how she thrived.
Part III is posted May 20, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
I want to highlight and celebrate the life of a dear friend, court reporter, CART provider, and broadcast captioner.
Shelley Darlene Arthur of Vancouver, Canada, was passionate about her work, our profession, and working with deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) and animals.
No one – and I mean no one – could cover your back like Shelley Arthur.
She was a court reporter, mentor, role model, advocate, generous, enthusiastic, spirited, funny, kind, and totally committed to moments involving humans and animals. And she was so loyal to her friends and beliefs, too.
If there was a new item, a discussion, a fact – positive or perhaps not so positive to our world and to the world of animals – Shelley would write, “Did you see this? You need to read this.” “What do you think about …?” “Check this out!”
She shared her knowledge and talents with people all over the world.
Shelley Arthur had been my friend almost 14 years. We worked and played together; my life is better because of Shelley.
In 1988, Shelley Arthur became a court reporter, opening a court reporting firm. I met Shelley around 1996 when she was very involved in the CART community.
Our CART paths continued to cross and a friendship developed.
She expanded her work to include fulfilling requests and streaming text for disability and educational institutions, businesses, judicial environments, religious services, sporting events, and international arbitrations.
In 2000, Shelley Arthur opened Visual Voice Captions.
Part II
I want to share the Shelly Arthur I knew. As our friendship grew, we learned I was speaking at a convention she was attending. We had never met in person; nor had I seen a picture.
Yet I could recognize her voice from webcasting, remote CART and projects Shelley and I worked on for my company, All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc., www.artcs.com
A group was arriving to greet me at the airport. Unknown to me, Shelley rented a car, arriving early. She was good to go in jeans, petite sneakers and information she wanted to share now! Together, we met the court reporting group and had a marvelous evening.
Shelley lived with Kayla, her Pyrenees boo bear, sharing her home with Ms. Tiggy, a cat. (Shelley wrote about “Sam, the goat, who lives outdoors, staring inside.”)
She was proud to be an Air Force brat and described long transcontinental flights as a child with her sister visiting parents.
Shelley signed e-mails, “Hugs From Shelley & The Critters,” and shared events as Kayla aged to 14 years.
When Kayla deafened, Shelley communicated via sign language.
When I e-mailed, Shelley in Vancouver, she quickly responded.
Often they were snowed in, and she wrote, “but I need to walk Kayla.”
From Texas I would write, “How do you walk a large white dog when you are snowed in?”
Shelley, “First I dug out of the house. Then we walked the riverbank; Kayla saw a bird, enjoyed playing on the drifts. We’re defrosting now. It’s beautiful!”
I flew Shelley into multiple cities to work during NCRA, National Court Reporters Association, conventions within my Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs, www.CRRbooks.com, exhibit booth.
She also helped me when I conducted multiple U.S.A. and Canadian seminars.
I always knew she had my back. Always.
The morning of our first show, Shelley appeared in the exact outfit (matching top, long skirt).
Checking tags on the outfit (yes, same), I saw Shelley’s watch on her right arm - the exact antique silver bracelet watch (with two stones) I was wearing on my left arm.
People questioned if I thought this was odd. I laughed, “Not at all. We’re good.”
Shelley had a great laugh. I have memories of her chatting and laughing with court reporters, teachers, vendors, and court reporting students – bringing someone to meet me – waiting for the moment to step in and say, “Monette, you need to …”
She had such a special gift helping others.
Shelley Arthur knew Reiki healing and after 15-hour days, we would sit quietly, feet up. One evening I gifted her with a hotel full-body massage.
Later Shelley stopped by to thank me. Oh, I had never seen such a smile.
“And the male masseuse was good looking, too,” she beamed.
We would stay post-events two days to wrap-up work and unwind.
As I prepared to fly home, Shelley prepped for two days of travel to return to her Vancouver island home.
She showed me itineraries, which included (my words) big plane, small plane, tiny plane, hotel, car ride, ferry ride, ride from ferry, pick up animals, then ride home. I marveled how she thrived.
Part III is posted May 20, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Shelley Arthur: Consummate Professional And Important Friend, Part I of III
"Shelley Arthur: Consummate Professional And Important Friend," Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
I want to highlight and celebrate the life of a dear friend, court reporter, CART provider, and broadcast captioner.
Shelley Darlene Arthur of Vancouver, Canada, was passionate about her work, our profession, and working with deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) and animals.
No one – and I mean no one – could cover your back like Shelley Arthur.
She was a court reporter, mentor, role model, advocate, generous, enthusiastic, spirited, funny, kind, and totally committed to moments involving humans and animals. And she was so loyal to her friends and beliefs, too.
If there was a new item, a discussion, a fact – positive or perhaps not so positive to our world and to the world of animals – Shelley would write, “Did you see this? You need to read this.” “What do you think about …?” “Check this out!”
She shared her knowledge and talents with people all over the world.
Shelley Arthur had been my friend almost 14 years.
We worked and played together; my life is better because of Shelley.
In 1988, Shelley Arthur became a court reporter, opening a court reporting firm. I met Shelley around 1996 when she was very involved in the CART community.
Our CART paths continued to cross and a friendship developed. She expanded her work to include fulfilling requests and streaming text for disability and educational institutions, businesses, judicial environments, religious services, sporting events, and international arbitrations.
In 2000, Shelley Arthur opened Visual Voice Captions.
Shelley was Level II ASL (American Sign Language), devoted to her work with deaf and HOH.
She was also a dedicated advocate for animal rights. My favorite picture is Shelley swimming with dolphins; she wrote, “And they understand ASL!” on the caption.
As a court reporter, remote and onsite CART provider, captioner, Webcaster, and consultant, Shelley worked in the Senate of Canada, the U.S. Senate, and the United Nations.
She provided court reporting and consulting services, wrote articles, conducted seminars, and served on the BCSRA, British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association, advisory council.
Shelley traveled (writing me detailed e-mails) to Korea, Sri Lanka, India, the Amazon Rain Forest, and World AIDS conferences in Mexico City, Kenya, and South Africa, sharing her reporting and CART skills.
Shelley was dedicated to (a sampling) Cameryn’s Cause for Kids Society; Sign Language for Children; idratherbeflying.net (Shelley recently spent two months to organize next year’s deaf pilots Fly-In); Representative Organisation of Disabled People in Europe; and International Day of Persons With Disabilities UN Enable, among others.
Shelley Arthur “coined the term ‘UN Enable’ and created their logo with the red ‘e’ in 1998” when she built their first web site. “It was a play on the negative word ‘unable’ to hopefully create controversy and bring attention. It stuck. The term ‘UN Enable’ is now used as the name of the UN global Programme on Disability, and earned a high-level URL: www.un.org/disabilities.”
Part II of III is posted May 10, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
I want to highlight and celebrate the life of a dear friend, court reporter, CART provider, and broadcast captioner.
Shelley Darlene Arthur of Vancouver, Canada, was passionate about her work, our profession, and working with deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) and animals.
No one – and I mean no one – could cover your back like Shelley Arthur.
She was a court reporter, mentor, role model, advocate, generous, enthusiastic, spirited, funny, kind, and totally committed to moments involving humans and animals. And she was so loyal to her friends and beliefs, too.
If there was a new item, a discussion, a fact – positive or perhaps not so positive to our world and to the world of animals – Shelley would write, “Did you see this? You need to read this.” “What do you think about …?” “Check this out!”
She shared her knowledge and talents with people all over the world.
Shelley Arthur had been my friend almost 14 years.
We worked and played together; my life is better because of Shelley.
In 1988, Shelley Arthur became a court reporter, opening a court reporting firm. I met Shelley around 1996 when she was very involved in the CART community.
Our CART paths continued to cross and a friendship developed. She expanded her work to include fulfilling requests and streaming text for disability and educational institutions, businesses, judicial environments, religious services, sporting events, and international arbitrations.
In 2000, Shelley Arthur opened Visual Voice Captions.
Shelley was Level II ASL (American Sign Language), devoted to her work with deaf and HOH.
She was also a dedicated advocate for animal rights. My favorite picture is Shelley swimming with dolphins; she wrote, “And they understand ASL!” on the caption.
As a court reporter, remote and onsite CART provider, captioner, Webcaster, and consultant, Shelley worked in the Senate of Canada, the U.S. Senate, and the United Nations.
She provided court reporting and consulting services, wrote articles, conducted seminars, and served on the BCSRA, British Columbia Shorthand Reporters Association, advisory council.
Shelley traveled (writing me detailed e-mails) to Korea, Sri Lanka, India, the Amazon Rain Forest, and World AIDS conferences in Mexico City, Kenya, and South Africa, sharing her reporting and CART skills.
Shelley was dedicated to (a sampling) Cameryn’s Cause for Kids Society; Sign Language for Children; idratherbeflying.net (Shelley recently spent two months to organize next year’s deaf pilots Fly-In); Representative Organisation of Disabled People in Europe; and International Day of Persons With Disabilities UN Enable, among others.
Shelley Arthur “coined the term ‘UN Enable’ and created their logo with the red ‘e’ in 1998” when she built their first web site. “It was a play on the negative word ‘unable’ to hopefully create controversy and bring attention. It stuck. The term ‘UN Enable’ is now used as the name of the UN global Programme on Disability, and earned a high-level URL: www.un.org/disabilities.”
Part II of III is posted May 10, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
Sunday, April 25, 2010
“Accuracy of Sign Interpreting & Real-Time to Deaf Students” Part III
“Accuracy of Sign Interpreting & Real-Time to Deaf Students”
Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I is posted April 7, 2010, at www.monettebenoit.com
Part II is posted, April 19, 2010.
Last month I shared “A Number of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D.” Karen created ‘firsts’ graduating with a bachelor’s in neuroscience and acceptance to the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh for graduate work.
Karen was born severely hard of hearing. She lost almost all hearing by 1991 and had a cochlear implant that failed. Then Karen “had to learn ASL, American Sign Language, to be able to get information in school.”
Karen Sadler used ASL while working on her bachelor's and master's degree.
When she started her Ph.D. work, Karen began to work with CART providers.
The drive is on to utilize court reporters in schools from K through 12. But just because third-party communicators are available in a classroom does not guarantee accuracy of delivery, especially in classrooms involving science and math.
With the continuing closure of schools for the Deaf in the United States, and placement of these Deaf students into public schools, it has become necessary to find means to ensure these students obtain the same amount and the same quality of information available to their hearing peers.
Steno-based services are becoming more common in secondary schools, but research is needed to determine how accurate the information is that these students are receiving, especially since Deaf students continue to have problems meeting national standards in science and math.
PART III of III
CART providers had an accuracy of 98 percent compared to the interpreters’ accuracy rate of 73 percent and were found to be significantly more accurate in the delivery of science words as compared to sign language interpreters in this study.
The few mistakes made by CART providers were probably due to the fact that most often the software program that used a legal dictionary, and certain science terms were not recognized by those dictionaries.
Background information provided by all the participants indicated that the amount of training received by court reporters, as well as the fact that the training is standardized across the nation, made a huge difference in the information that would be conveyed to Deaf students.
Interpreters for the Deaf do not receive the same quality of training, nor are they required to meet the same national standards. It varies from state to state and from certification program to program.
So, according to this information from this study, does that mean schools should rush out and hire court reporters instead of sign language interpreters for Deaf students? Not necessarily.
Deaf students come at the English language later in life than hearing students.
Their vocabulary is often smaller, and the reading skills required to follow a steno-based system in the classroom may make these systems difficult for some students to follow.
It has yet to be determined if and how much real-time captioning improves learning in Deaf students.
One thing that will determine how much these systems can be used in secondary classrooms is the speed with which the student will see the captioning on the screen.
Previous research has shown that the faster the rate of captioning, the less understanding there is of the material.
Information that is moved too quickly off the screen not only decreases comprehension, but frustrates Deaf students.
If students can be given some type of control over this rate, it may allow for more complete understanding.
Equal access and opportunity in education for Deaf students will not be achievable until they are able to receive the same information as their hearing peers.
Since they depend upon information given to them through third-party communicators, it is vital that that information is correct.
This preliminary research demonstrates that steno-based systems could increase the amount of information that Deaf students receive in public classrooms, and that would probably lead to better achievement in science and math on standardized tests.
Karen’s dissertation can be accessed: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-07212009-201144/
Karen Sadler, Ph.D., may be reached: klseduethics@hotmail.com
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I is posted April 7, 2010, at www.monettebenoit.com
Part II is posted, April 19, 2010.
Last month I shared “A Number of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D.” Karen created ‘firsts’ graduating with a bachelor’s in neuroscience and acceptance to the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh for graduate work.
Karen was born severely hard of hearing. She lost almost all hearing by 1991 and had a cochlear implant that failed. Then Karen “had to learn ASL, American Sign Language, to be able to get information in school.”
Karen Sadler used ASL while working on her bachelor's and master's degree.
When she started her Ph.D. work, Karen began to work with CART providers.
The drive is on to utilize court reporters in schools from K through 12. But just because third-party communicators are available in a classroom does not guarantee accuracy of delivery, especially in classrooms involving science and math.
With the continuing closure of schools for the Deaf in the United States, and placement of these Deaf students into public schools, it has become necessary to find means to ensure these students obtain the same amount and the same quality of information available to their hearing peers.
Steno-based services are becoming more common in secondary schools, but research is needed to determine how accurate the information is that these students are receiving, especially since Deaf students continue to have problems meeting national standards in science and math.
PART III of III
CART providers had an accuracy of 98 percent compared to the interpreters’ accuracy rate of 73 percent and were found to be significantly more accurate in the delivery of science words as compared to sign language interpreters in this study.
The few mistakes made by CART providers were probably due to the fact that most often the software program that used a legal dictionary, and certain science terms were not recognized by those dictionaries.
Background information provided by all the participants indicated that the amount of training received by court reporters, as well as the fact that the training is standardized across the nation, made a huge difference in the information that would be conveyed to Deaf students.
Interpreters for the Deaf do not receive the same quality of training, nor are they required to meet the same national standards. It varies from state to state and from certification program to program.
So, according to this information from this study, does that mean schools should rush out and hire court reporters instead of sign language interpreters for Deaf students? Not necessarily.
Deaf students come at the English language later in life than hearing students.
Their vocabulary is often smaller, and the reading skills required to follow a steno-based system in the classroom may make these systems difficult for some students to follow.
It has yet to be determined if and how much real-time captioning improves learning in Deaf students.
One thing that will determine how much these systems can be used in secondary classrooms is the speed with which the student will see the captioning on the screen.
Previous research has shown that the faster the rate of captioning, the less understanding there is of the material.
Information that is moved too quickly off the screen not only decreases comprehension, but frustrates Deaf students.
If students can be given some type of control over this rate, it may allow for more complete understanding.
Equal access and opportunity in education for Deaf students will not be achievable until they are able to receive the same information as their hearing peers.
Since they depend upon information given to them through third-party communicators, it is vital that that information is correct.
This preliminary research demonstrates that steno-based systems could increase the amount of information that Deaf students receive in public classrooms, and that would probably lead to better achievement in science and math on standardized tests.
Karen’s dissertation can be accessed: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-07212009-201144/
Karen Sadler, Ph.D., may be reached: klseduethics@hotmail.com
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Monday, April 19, 2010
“Accuracy of Sign Interpreting & Real-Time to Deaf Students” Part II of III
“Accuracy of Sign Interpreting & Real-Time to Deaf Students”
Part II of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I is posted April 7, 2010, at www.monettebenoit.com
Last month I shared “A Number of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D.” Karen created ‘firsts’ graduating with a bachelor’s in neuroscience and acceptance to the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh for graduate work.
Karen was born severely hard of hearing. She lost almost all hearing by 1991 and had a cochlear implant that failed. Then Karen “had to learn ASL, American Sign Language, to be able to get information in school.”
Karen Sadler used ASL while working on her bachelor's and master's degree. When she started her Ph.D. work, Karen began to work with CART providers.
Now we share details within Karen’s May 2009 science education doctoral work, “Accuracy of Sign Interpreting and Real-Time Captioning of Science Videos for the Delivery of Instruction to Deaf Students.”
The drive is on to utilize court reporters in schools from K through 12. But just because third-party communicators are available in a classroom does not guarantee accuracy of delivery, especially in classrooms involving science and math.
With the continuing closure of schools for the Deaf in the United States, and placement of these Deaf students into public schools, it has become necessary to find means to ensure these students obtain the same amount and the same quality of information available to their hearing peers.
Steno-based services are becoming more common in secondary schools, but research is needed to determine how accurate the information is that these students are receiving, especially since Deaf students continue to have problems meeting national standards in science and math.
Since Deaf students must rely upon support services such as interpreters and steno-based systems, it was obvious that the first step was to find out exactly how much science information is actually conveyed to the Deaf students.
In my study, several NASA videotapes were used.
Each interpreter and each captioner were tested separately.
Karen Sadler’s dissertation abstract states:
"The purpose of this study was to quantitatively examine the impact of third-party support service providers on the quality of science information available to deaf students in regular science classrooms.
Three different videotapes that were developed by NASA for high school science classrooms were selected for the study, allowing for different concepts and vocabulary to be examined.
The focus was on the accuracy of translation as measured by the number of key science words included in the transcripts (captions) or videos (interpreted)."
Interpreters were videotaped, so that what they signed could be documented and translated.
CART personnel delivered their transcript to me. They were not allowed to correct their mistakes because I wanted to see exactly what deaf students would see in the classroom.
Many Deaf students lag in reading skills and would not read the voluminous notes given to them. So what they obtained in the classroom, on the screen from a steno-based system, would be the information they would retain.
Three people involved in science ‘scored’ the transcripts.
The number of key science words correctly delivered by each individual and each group was counted.
There was a significant difference between what the interpreters were able to deliver versus what the captioners delivered.
Part III is posted April 25, 2010, at www.monettebenoit.com
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Part II of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I is posted April 7, 2010, at www.monettebenoit.com
Last month I shared “A Number of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D.” Karen created ‘firsts’ graduating with a bachelor’s in neuroscience and acceptance to the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh for graduate work.
Karen was born severely hard of hearing. She lost almost all hearing by 1991 and had a cochlear implant that failed. Then Karen “had to learn ASL, American Sign Language, to be able to get information in school.”
Karen Sadler used ASL while working on her bachelor's and master's degree. When she started her Ph.D. work, Karen began to work with CART providers.
Now we share details within Karen’s May 2009 science education doctoral work, “Accuracy of Sign Interpreting and Real-Time Captioning of Science Videos for the Delivery of Instruction to Deaf Students.”
The drive is on to utilize court reporters in schools from K through 12. But just because third-party communicators are available in a classroom does not guarantee accuracy of delivery, especially in classrooms involving science and math.
With the continuing closure of schools for the Deaf in the United States, and placement of these Deaf students into public schools, it has become necessary to find means to ensure these students obtain the same amount and the same quality of information available to their hearing peers.
Steno-based services are becoming more common in secondary schools, but research is needed to determine how accurate the information is that these students are receiving, especially since Deaf students continue to have problems meeting national standards in science and math.
Since Deaf students must rely upon support services such as interpreters and steno-based systems, it was obvious that the first step was to find out exactly how much science information is actually conveyed to the Deaf students.
In my study, several NASA videotapes were used.
Each interpreter and each captioner were tested separately.
Karen Sadler’s dissertation abstract states:
"The purpose of this study was to quantitatively examine the impact of third-party support service providers on the quality of science information available to deaf students in regular science classrooms.
Three different videotapes that were developed by NASA for high school science classrooms were selected for the study, allowing for different concepts and vocabulary to be examined.
The focus was on the accuracy of translation as measured by the number of key science words included in the transcripts (captions) or videos (interpreted)."
Interpreters were videotaped, so that what they signed could be documented and translated.
CART personnel delivered their transcript to me. They were not allowed to correct their mistakes because I wanted to see exactly what deaf students would see in the classroom.
Many Deaf students lag in reading skills and would not read the voluminous notes given to them. So what they obtained in the classroom, on the screen from a steno-based system, would be the information they would retain.
Three people involved in science ‘scored’ the transcripts.
The number of key science words correctly delivered by each individual and each group was counted.
There was a significant difference between what the interpreters were able to deliver versus what the captioners delivered.
Part III is posted April 25, 2010, at www.monettebenoit.com
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
“Accuracy of Sign Interpreting & Real-Time to Deaf Students”
“Accuracy of Sign Interpreting & Real-Time to Deaf Students”
Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Last month I shared “A Number of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D.”
Karen Sadler created ‘firsts’ graduating with a bachelor’s in neuroscience and acceptance to the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh for graduate work.
Karen was born severely hard of hearing. She lost almost all hearing by 1991 and had a cochlear implant that failed. Then Karen “had to learn ASL, American Sign Language, to be able to get information in school.”
Karen Sadler used ASL while working on her bachelor's and master's degree. When she started her Ph.D. work, Karen began to work with CART providers.
Now we share details within Karen’s May 2009 science education doctoral work, “Accuracy of Sign Interpreting and Real-Time Captioning of Science Videos for the Delivery of Instruction to Deaf Students.”
As a preface to Karen Sadler’s doctor of philosophy work, I want to share that the term “Deaf” (big D) is a reference for individuals who typically use sign language as their first language. My opinion is this detail will assist court reporters and court reporting students to have a greater understanding within Karen’s research.
RESEARCH ON ASL AND REALTIME EFFICACY
Karen Sadler: When I started, I worked on the interpreters first. Interpreters were easy to find. I had a horrible time for two years with different people I hired to 'translate' tapes with me. One person sat on it for a year and did hardly anything with it, and a professional interpreter I know also didn't do much of anything with it for a year.
I ended up translating the majority of the interpreter tapes with assistance to ensure it was being done correctly.
CART personnel were easier, except trying to find them. I located some via word of mouth, but had to talk to a couple of groups that do court reporting here. They were all very professional.
In a silent world, Deaf students must rely upon others to get their information in the classroom, especially in public school classrooms, where teachers will be unfamiliar with ASL, American Sign Language, and cannot spend significant time teaching one student with special needs.
It has become necessary to use third-party communicators to convey classroom information.
Until recently, sign language interpreters were the usual choice for Deaf students.
With the advent of the computer and court reporting, more and more Deaf students in college, as well as Deaf professionals, are choosing to use court reporters in the classroom.
Part II is posted April 19, 2010 at www.monettebenoit.com
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Last month I shared “A Number of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D.”
Karen Sadler created ‘firsts’ graduating with a bachelor’s in neuroscience and acceptance to the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh for graduate work.
Karen was born severely hard of hearing. She lost almost all hearing by 1991 and had a cochlear implant that failed. Then Karen “had to learn ASL, American Sign Language, to be able to get information in school.”
Karen Sadler used ASL while working on her bachelor's and master's degree. When she started her Ph.D. work, Karen began to work with CART providers.
Now we share details within Karen’s May 2009 science education doctoral work, “Accuracy of Sign Interpreting and Real-Time Captioning of Science Videos for the Delivery of Instruction to Deaf Students.”
As a preface to Karen Sadler’s doctor of philosophy work, I want to share that the term “Deaf” (big D) is a reference for individuals who typically use sign language as their first language. My opinion is this detail will assist court reporters and court reporting students to have a greater understanding within Karen’s research.
RESEARCH ON ASL AND REALTIME EFFICACY
Karen Sadler: When I started, I worked on the interpreters first. Interpreters were easy to find. I had a horrible time for two years with different people I hired to 'translate' tapes with me. One person sat on it for a year and did hardly anything with it, and a professional interpreter I know also didn't do much of anything with it for a year.
I ended up translating the majority of the interpreter tapes with assistance to ensure it was being done correctly.
CART personnel were easier, except trying to find them. I located some via word of mouth, but had to talk to a couple of groups that do court reporting here. They were all very professional.
In a silent world, Deaf students must rely upon others to get their information in the classroom, especially in public school classrooms, where teachers will be unfamiliar with ASL, American Sign Language, and cannot spend significant time teaching one student with special needs.
It has become necessary to use third-party communicators to convey classroom information.
Until recently, sign language interpreters were the usual choice for Deaf students.
With the advent of the computer and court reporting, more and more Deaf students in college, as well as Deaf professionals, are choosing to use court reporters in the classroom.
Part II is posted April 19, 2010 at www.monettebenoit.com
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
A Number Of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D., Part III of III
A Number Of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D.,
Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I was posted on Monette's Musings: www.monettebenoit.com 3/17/10.
Part II was posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 3/23/10.
Karen Sadler, Ph.D., shares:
"I met my husband at college. We moved to Pittsburgh, PA, when he graduated where we raised three great children.
After 12 years I decided I had to get a degree or get stuck in menial jobs all my life.
I enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. My hearing loss intensified as I matured, but I lost almost all of it by 1991 and had a cochlear implant, which failed.
So I had to learn ASL, American Sign Language, to be able to get information in school.
I used ASL through my bachelor's degree and my master's degree.
When I started my Ph.D. work, I started using CART personnel in my classrooms more often.
I set a number of ‘firsts’: graduating with a bachelors in Neuroscience and getting accepted to the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh for graduate work.
An advisor noticed, in her classes, the difference between what I was 'getting' with CART versus what I would 'get' from my interpreters.
She said that half the time I looked totally confused with interpreters, swinging my head around trying to get info from lipreading other students and (lipreading) my advisor who was teaching the class; I would look at the board, and watch my interpreters to get what I could out of them.
I often had to work much harder than everyone else, in order to receive only part of the info.
My advisor suggested that I look into this as a research topic. It hadn't been done, especially in the sciences or math, which is significantly different than topics like history; the vocabulary and concepts are a lot harder to convey.
I finished my Ph.D. in science education in 2009.
Currently, I work at several universities teaching a variety of sciences to hearing students, which I enjoy thoroughly.
So now, the Deaf person is teaching eight classes on different sciences. I teach all hearing students ... nursing students, anatomy/physiology, environmental health, meteorology, geology, and I've taught physics, chemistry, and cell biology labs.”
ONE LAST NOTE
by Monette Benoit: Karen Sadler’s e-mails contain the footer, “Ethical axioms are found and tested not very differently from the axioms of science. Truth is what stands the test of experience. ~Albert Einstein.”
Next month we will share the results of Karen L. Sadler, Ph.D. studies, “Accuracy of Sign Interpreting and Real-Time Captioning of Science Videos for the Delivery of Instruction to Deaf Students.”
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I was posted on Monette's Musings: www.monettebenoit.com 3/17/10.
Part II was posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 3/23/10.
Karen Sadler, Ph.D., shares:
"I met my husband at college. We moved to Pittsburgh, PA, when he graduated where we raised three great children.
After 12 years I decided I had to get a degree or get stuck in menial jobs all my life.
I enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. My hearing loss intensified as I matured, but I lost almost all of it by 1991 and had a cochlear implant, which failed.
So I had to learn ASL, American Sign Language, to be able to get information in school.
I used ASL through my bachelor's degree and my master's degree.
When I started my Ph.D. work, I started using CART personnel in my classrooms more often.
I set a number of ‘firsts’: graduating with a bachelors in Neuroscience and getting accepted to the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh for graduate work.
An advisor noticed, in her classes, the difference between what I was 'getting' with CART versus what I would 'get' from my interpreters.
She said that half the time I looked totally confused with interpreters, swinging my head around trying to get info from lipreading other students and (lipreading) my advisor who was teaching the class; I would look at the board, and watch my interpreters to get what I could out of them.
I often had to work much harder than everyone else, in order to receive only part of the info.
My advisor suggested that I look into this as a research topic. It hadn't been done, especially in the sciences or math, which is significantly different than topics like history; the vocabulary and concepts are a lot harder to convey.
I finished my Ph.D. in science education in 2009.
Currently, I work at several universities teaching a variety of sciences to hearing students, which I enjoy thoroughly.
So now, the Deaf person is teaching eight classes on different sciences. I teach all hearing students ... nursing students, anatomy/physiology, environmental health, meteorology, geology, and I've taught physics, chemistry, and cell biology labs.”
ONE LAST NOTE
by Monette Benoit: Karen Sadler’s e-mails contain the footer, “Ethical axioms are found and tested not very differently from the axioms of science. Truth is what stands the test of experience. ~Albert Einstein.”
Next month we will share the results of Karen L. Sadler, Ph.D. studies, “Accuracy of Sign Interpreting and Real-Time Captioning of Science Videos for the Delivery of Instruction to Deaf Students.”
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Number Of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D., Part II of III
A Number Of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D.,
Part II of III, 3/23/10
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I was posted on Monette's Musings: www.monettebenoit.com 3/17/10.
Part III was posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 3/31/10.
PASSING THE TEST
Karen Sadler "was born in Salt Lake City severely hard of hearing, in 1956. But my parents did not ‘discover’ it until I was 3 years old, when my mom noticed I was not turning around when she rang a bell behind me.
So that started all the testing and speech therapy, and what not that all HOH, hard of hearing, and Deaf children go through.
I am legally deaf. I have no hearing in my right ear, and have an over 90-110 db (decibel) loss in my left ear, in most tones, but especially tones that encompass the human voice.
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in California where I went to a public school because there were no schools for the Deaf close enough that my mother felt comfortable sending me to.
I had a great family, with two sisters. They were all musical, so I grew up with the piano constantly playing. I learned to understand music and play several instruments myself.
The schools were never comfortable having a deaf student in their classes, so I was constantly pulled out of class to take IQ tests.
They thought they could test me out of the system and put me into a school for the mentally retarded. This happened for three years, until I finally said something to my parents who put a stop to all this. My parents eventually received an apology from the district on this.
I received my first hearing aid at 13. It was amazing what I had missed. It was the first time I heard a bird, and I remember my mom crying when I said something about the bird making noise.
I graduated with good grades and attended Brigham Young University. There I ran into problems prevalent at all universities: They wouldn’t let me major in what I wanted, and kept shuttling me around. After four years, I gave up."
Karen's sharing, Part III, is posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 3/31/10.
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Part II of III, 3/23/10
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I was posted on Monette's Musings: www.monettebenoit.com 3/17/10.
Part III was posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 3/31/10.
PASSING THE TEST
Karen Sadler "was born in Salt Lake City severely hard of hearing, in 1956. But my parents did not ‘discover’ it until I was 3 years old, when my mom noticed I was not turning around when she rang a bell behind me.
So that started all the testing and speech therapy, and what not that all HOH, hard of hearing, and Deaf children go through.
I am legally deaf. I have no hearing in my right ear, and have an over 90-110 db (decibel) loss in my left ear, in most tones, but especially tones that encompass the human voice.
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in California where I went to a public school because there were no schools for the Deaf close enough that my mother felt comfortable sending me to.
I had a great family, with two sisters. They were all musical, so I grew up with the piano constantly playing. I learned to understand music and play several instruments myself.
The schools were never comfortable having a deaf student in their classes, so I was constantly pulled out of class to take IQ tests.
They thought they could test me out of the system and put me into a school for the mentally retarded. This happened for three years, until I finally said something to my parents who put a stop to all this. My parents eventually received an apology from the district on this.
I received my first hearing aid at 13. It was amazing what I had missed. It was the first time I heard a bird, and I remember my mom crying when I said something about the bird making noise.
I graduated with good grades and attended Brigham Young University. There I ran into problems prevalent at all universities: They wouldn’t let me major in what I wanted, and kept shuttling me around. After four years, I gave up."
Karen's sharing, Part III, is posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 3/31/10.
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A Number Of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D., Part I of III
A Number of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D,
Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved
Part I was posted on Monette's Musings: www.monettebenoit.com 3/23/10.
Part II was posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 3/31/10.
The October e-mail from Karen Sadler began:
“Hi Monette.
I hope you remember me. A few years ago I asked you about court reporters being used for Deaf people in educational environments.
I want to let you know that I finished my work and graduated with a Ph.D. in science education. I thought you might be interested in my research.
The 2003 to 2009 study related the work of court reporters compared to interpreters (court reporters did so much better than interpreters). It's been a long haul for me, with a lot of obstacles.
I'm teaching sciences at two universities right now, both online and classroom.
Your name is in my (doctoral) references, and you helped significantly with understanding what court reporters do. Basically, they did a phenomenal job, and the only mistakes were due to science words not recognized by the dictionary in the software. … You taught me things I didn't know about court reporters. I also asked you about software programs that court reporters use.”
Karen and I, in real-time, stepped back into our e-mail friendship.
As we wrote, she was often teaching multiple science courses, reviewing homework and then grading final exams.
I asked Karen Sadler to share her personal story.
Court reporters and CART providers working with deaf and hard of hearing individuals in an academic setting or work environment or social gathering (yes, in all settings) have much to learn from Dr. Karen Sadler.
I am honored to introduce you to Karen L. Sadler, Ph.D. Her story continues in this blog's posting 3/23/10.
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved
Part I was posted on Monette's Musings: www.monettebenoit.com 3/23/10.
Part II was posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 3/31/10.
The October e-mail from Karen Sadler began:
“Hi Monette.
I hope you remember me. A few years ago I asked you about court reporters being used for Deaf people in educational environments.
I want to let you know that I finished my work and graduated with a Ph.D. in science education. I thought you might be interested in my research.
The 2003 to 2009 study related the work of court reporters compared to interpreters (court reporters did so much better than interpreters). It's been a long haul for me, with a lot of obstacles.
I'm teaching sciences at two universities right now, both online and classroom.
Your name is in my (doctoral) references, and you helped significantly with understanding what court reporters do. Basically, they did a phenomenal job, and the only mistakes were due to science words not recognized by the dictionary in the software. … You taught me things I didn't know about court reporters. I also asked you about software programs that court reporters use.”
Karen and I, in real-time, stepped back into our e-mail friendship.
As we wrote, she was often teaching multiple science courses, reviewing homework and then grading final exams.
I asked Karen Sadler to share her personal story.
Court reporters and CART providers working with deaf and hard of hearing individuals in an academic setting or work environment or social gathering (yes, in all settings) have much to learn from Dr. Karen Sadler.
I am honored to introduce you to Karen L. Sadler, Ph.D. Her story continues in this blog's posting 3/23/10.
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Monday, March 8, 2010
CART: Up-Skills For The Job, And Confidence For The Future, Part 3 of 3
CART: Up-Skills For The Job, And Confidence For The Future,
Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I was posted on Monette's Musings: www.monettebenoit.com 2/8/10.
Part II was posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 2/25/10.
Michelle Coffey, Premier Captioning & Realtime Ltd., entered reporting in 1992. She earned her RPR in 1996, and her CRI in 2001.
Michelle also holds a degree in criminal psychology and diploma in counseling from the University College Dublin in Ireland.
Michelle Coffey and I met in Australia in 2000 when I was keynote speaker for the Shorthand Reporter Association of Australia, SRAA.
In Fremantle, I spoke about reporting to the Internet and also working with deaf/Deaf, oral deaf and hard of hearing, HOH.
My seminars were real-timed to a large screen and sign interpreted in Australian sign language, a first.
Our friendship began the day we spoke on a captioning panel. She has the brightest spirit. Michelle truly enhanced the session with her wisdom and humor. Several days later, we bumped into each other - deep within the Australian Bush. A small world indeed.
Michelle Coffey has been a true leader in Ireland.
She has a wonderful can-do attitude. When I see her name in my e-mails, I smile knowing “this is going to be entertaining and good.”
Michelle was the first captioner in Ireland.
No surprise here that she has led another first in her country.
I am honored to share Michelle Coffey’s first CART path within Ireland.
Part III
Michelle Coffey: We spoke to Irish Sign Language interpreters, to Speedtexters, and to note-takers, and in the process we all learned a lot about the pros and cons of all the services.
Next, we spent some time talking to different interest groups, from the National Association for the Deaf, to DeafHear (a hard-of-hearing association), to Irish Deaf Kids, all the way through to the access officers at educational institutions.
And at each point, when we did our “show and tell” the response was always the same, “This is fantastic, why haven’t we heard of it before?”
But the most important people we met were the students who were with us on this new road of discovery.
And it was never far from our minds as we prepared for the beginning of term, that the weight of expectation on us was enormous; from the students that they would get a service appropriate to their needs; from the colleges that we would provide a suitable access solution for their students; and from ourselves and the up-and-coming CART reporters, that we prove that CART services can, and should, be an integral part of accessibility services for all educational establishments in Ireland.
However, much more telling and – proof that this service is necessary and will be a success is a statement from Emma, the first student to take up the service.
After having only two sessions with a CART provider, she had this to say, “I can’t believe the difference CART has made to my life.
Did you know that I began this degree course four years ago but had to drop out because I couldn’t participate in my PBL (peer-based learning) lectures?”
Well, we didn’t know that, but it certainly makes it much easier to study and up-skill for the job when you hear that what you do can has such a profound effect on someone else’s life!
Another fan of the newly available Irish CART services is Caroline Carswell, founder of Irish Deaf Kids, a charity supporting inclusive mainstream education for deaf children in Ireland.
Caroline was new to CART, and its simplicity blew her away.
She said, “For the first time in my life, I could follow a group discussion word for word and contribute without risking a non sequitur. For lip-readers, the law of multiples applies: the more speakers in a group, the harder a discussion topic becomes to follow. It’s like, Chinese whispers, anyone?”
Now, as we look back on our journey to get CART recognized in Ireland, we think “How did we do it?”
Well, did you ever have the feeling that being a member of an organization, whether it’s CARTWheel or the NCRA, is like being a Musketeer? You know, “One for all and all for one”?
Well, that’s exactly how I felt, but the Athos, Porthos and Aramis to my d’Artagnan were some of the most experienced and supremely talented people in our profession. They each gave of their time, expertise and encouragement, instantly and unstintingly when I needed it.
My eternal thanks, and admiration to Dayette Zampolin, Gayl Hardeman and Monette Benoit for their help, advice, vision, encouragement, and even offers to jump in and help out (remotely of course) if we needed it!
Does that not speak volumes about our profession?
Even though our work can be a solitary job, we know that we will never be alone when there are still so many passionate and generous colleagues out there.
And that gives me confidence for the future of our profession!
Michelle Coffey may be reached: www.pcri.ie and michelle@pcr.ie
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Part I was posted on Monette's Musings: www.monettebenoit.com 2/8/10.
Part II was posted on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com 2/25/10.
Michelle Coffey, Premier Captioning & Realtime Ltd., entered reporting in 1992. She earned her RPR in 1996, and her CRI in 2001.
Michelle also holds a degree in criminal psychology and diploma in counseling from the University College Dublin in Ireland.
Michelle Coffey and I met in Australia in 2000 when I was keynote speaker for the Shorthand Reporter Association of Australia, SRAA.
In Fremantle, I spoke about reporting to the Internet and also working with deaf/Deaf, oral deaf and hard of hearing, HOH.
My seminars were real-timed to a large screen and sign interpreted in Australian sign language, a first.
Our friendship began the day we spoke on a captioning panel. She has the brightest spirit. Michelle truly enhanced the session with her wisdom and humor. Several days later, we bumped into each other - deep within the Australian Bush. A small world indeed.
Michelle Coffey has been a true leader in Ireland.
She has a wonderful can-do attitude. When I see her name in my e-mails, I smile knowing “this is going to be entertaining and good.”
Michelle was the first captioner in Ireland.
No surprise here that she has led another first in her country.
I am honored to share Michelle Coffey’s first CART path within Ireland.
Part III
Michelle Coffey: We spoke to Irish Sign Language interpreters, to Speedtexters, and to note-takers, and in the process we all learned a lot about the pros and cons of all the services.
Next, we spent some time talking to different interest groups, from the National Association for the Deaf, to DeafHear (a hard-of-hearing association), to Irish Deaf Kids, all the way through to the access officers at educational institutions.
And at each point, when we did our “show and tell” the response was always the same, “This is fantastic, why haven’t we heard of it before?”
But the most important people we met were the students who were with us on this new road of discovery.
And it was never far from our minds as we prepared for the beginning of term, that the weight of expectation on us was enormous; from the students that they would get a service appropriate to their needs; from the colleges that we would provide a suitable access solution for their students; and from ourselves and the up-and-coming CART reporters, that we prove that CART services can, and should, be an integral part of accessibility services for all educational establishments in Ireland.
However, much more telling and – proof that this service is necessary and will be a success is a statement from Emma, the first student to take up the service.
After having only two sessions with a CART provider, she had this to say, “I can’t believe the difference CART has made to my life.
Did you know that I began this degree course four years ago but had to drop out because I couldn’t participate in my PBL (peer-based learning) lectures?”
Well, we didn’t know that, but it certainly makes it much easier to study and up-skill for the job when you hear that what you do can has such a profound effect on someone else’s life!
Another fan of the newly available Irish CART services is Caroline Carswell, founder of Irish Deaf Kids, a charity supporting inclusive mainstream education for deaf children in Ireland.
Caroline was new to CART, and its simplicity blew her away.
She said, “For the first time in my life, I could follow a group discussion word for word and contribute without risking a non sequitur. For lip-readers, the law of multiples applies: the more speakers in a group, the harder a discussion topic becomes to follow. It’s like, Chinese whispers, anyone?”
Now, as we look back on our journey to get CART recognized in Ireland, we think “How did we do it?”
Well, did you ever have the feeling that being a member of an organization, whether it’s CARTWheel or the NCRA, is like being a Musketeer? You know, “One for all and all for one”?
Well, that’s exactly how I felt, but the Athos, Porthos and Aramis to my d’Artagnan were some of the most experienced and supremely talented people in our profession. They each gave of their time, expertise and encouragement, instantly and unstintingly when I needed it.
My eternal thanks, and admiration to Dayette Zampolin, Gayl Hardeman and Monette Benoit for their help, advice, vision, encouragement, and even offers to jump in and help out (remotely of course) if we needed it!
Does that not speak volumes about our profession?
Even though our work can be a solitary job, we know that we will never be alone when there are still so many passionate and generous colleagues out there.
And that gives me confidence for the future of our profession!
Michelle Coffey may be reached: www.pcri.ie and michelle@pcr.ie
Monette may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=29
Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
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