Monette's Musings

Balancing And Rocco's Neck On The Line, Part III of III

2011-06-23T15:04:00.001-07:00

Balancing And Rocco's Neck On The Line, Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I and II began: The chair, with foldout bed, was delivered for Mom’s recuperation.
Once Mom was discharged from nine days in ICU, doctors advised me “to have a bed” here. “You may need it.” Mom spent 57 days in multiple hospitals.

When she was discharged from her quarantined room in the third hospital with acquired hospital infections – to include the MRSA, C-Diff and other hospital bacteria – (mere days before her 60-day insurance lapsed), my 6’ 4” brother carried Mom to his car and to her bed in his arms. She was too ill and weak to sit up. Her goals then and now? To sit up and walk.

Part II: Moments later I asked, “Why did you have your mother and sister’s name tattooed on your neck?”

Part III: And the balance in this column’s title?

Balance with a chair? Balance with your schooling? Your work? New goals? New health?

Can you name three items right now before you finish reading this sentence that you want to balance? Not need to. Want to. Right now.

Straight and simple, can you name three areas where you would balance your priorities?

Are you cruising forward with balance?

Just knowing your answer – yes; no; heck, no; or maybe – will tell you much.

Shift your balance-focus with temporary timelines.

Balance with long-term timelines.

Seek good, smooth balance – perhaps avoiding all struggles around corners?

During a coaching session with a new court reporter (recent graduate) the individual responded that the single “balancing” common thought during multiple years of schooling was, “When is my teacher going to cough, so I can catch up on this test?”

This student wished each teacher would cough each day in each class?

And there you have it.

New habits form new habitual balancing.

I dare you to find your true balance.

What would you print on the side of your neck?

What would you do if your balance and focus were identified?

On a personal note, as I write this article, my mother has not seen this new chair with bed.

My father now has “topped your mother’s health issues” (Dad’s words).

Yes, he too has acquired multiple hospital infections to include the MRSA.

Perhaps we all have moments causing realtime “balance” reflection.

Chair in hand, that evening, Rocco helped me. Perhaps I may help you.

Finishing this article this morning (taking a pre-dawn emergency phone call) I am now off to my father’s hospital room.

Then I travel to Mom’s to feed my mother breakfast. Then back to Dad’s surgical floor hospital room. Then back to feed Mom lunch. Mom may soon need the chair-bed here.

I may be gifted (handed) a new balance-refocus before 10 today, Sunday morning.

I am hoping this balance arrives gently, not swiftly or unfocused.

Then, like you, I’ll get back in the saddle, balance my priorities, perhaps learn new lessons.

I will focus on focus.

In the hospital hallway or feeding my mom, I will choose to focus.

And I believe in your balance. May it be so.

Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com

Part I of III is posted June 1, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part II of III is posted June 23, 2011, 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.

Balancing And Rocco's Neck On The Line, Part II of III

2011-06-11T19:15:00.001-07:00

Balancing And Rocco's Neck On The Line, Part II of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I began: The chair, with foldout bed, was delivered for Mom’s recuperation.

Once Mom was discharged from nine days in ICU, doctors advised me “to have a bed” here. “You may need it.”

Mom spent 57 days in multiple hospitals.

When she was discharged from her quarantined room in the third hospital with acquired hospital infections – to include the MRSA, C-Diff and other hospital bacteria – (mere days before her 60-day insurance lapsed), my 6’ 4” brother carried Mom to his car and to her bed in his arms. She was too ill and weak to sit up.

Her goals then and now? To sit up and walk.

Part II: Moments later I asked, “Why did you have your mother and sister’s name tattooed on your neck?”

Rocco said, “My dad taught me family always comes first. Always.”

I said, “Wow, that’s some commitment.” Another silence.

The chair made it through the door; the men were panting.

Rocco said, “Lots of people do their mother’s names on their necks.”

I thought before saying softly, “Not that I’ve met.”

Rocco said, “We do in my Hispanic culture.”

Respectfully (in Texas), I said, “My white culture doesn’t have many with tattoos like that.”

Rocco turned to me, “My mother is white.”

Great. And my reply? “Just slap me silly.”

How does this relate to this month’s column?

As I tipped each for their delivery service that evening, I said, “You really put your neck on the line for them, yes?”

Rocco beamed, “They are everything to me.”

I could not forget the vision of Rocco’s tattoos after they left.

I continued to think about the (tattoo) “neck commitments” and wondered what I would put on my neck?

What might a person put on his or her neck, in such colorful, large print?

Yet, I saw a connection with the students, CART providers, captioners, and court reporters with whom I work.

Many individuals have wonderful goals with solid commitments.

One reporter I am coaching is taking multiple state court reporting certifications, then sitting for NCRA’s RPR. She is going to pass each – this I know.

When I asked what time her tests started, she hadn’t “looked” – the first state test to be given in four days.

She just laughed, “Oh, I know to look that detail up before I go.” Okay.

What would you commit to if it was written on your neck?

Omitting religion and political views here, for the sake of this column, what might that be?

As I continued to tutor and coach I trolled this question. Each person was fascinated with the question. (And I asked Hispanic students and court reporters.)

Not one person in our field has commented or joked about a name on his or her neck

Maybe court reporters view tattooing the side – or two sides – of their necks to be different?

I then thought maybe ‘we’ view this commitment differently since we are tested at such high pass rates, 99-100 percent at work, and 95-98 percent in school each day.

Might that daily “I have to get this” discipline we work with have correlation?

I trolled that to see if that might have a causal relationship.

Some thought it might be a possibility. Many said, “Nope.”

Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com

Part I of III is posted June 1, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part III of III is posted June 23, 2011, 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.

Balancing And Rocco's Neck On The Line, Part I of III

2011-06-01T10:26:00.001-07:00

Balancing And Rocco's Neck On The Line, Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

The chair, with foldout bed, was delivered for Mom’s recuperation.

Once Mom was discharged from nine days in ICU, doctors advised me “to have a bed” here. “You may need it.”

Mom spent 57 days in multiple hospitals.

When she was discharged from her quarantined room in the third hospital with acquired hospital infections – to include the MRSA, C-Diff and other hospital bacteria – (mere days before her 60-day insurance lapsed), my 6’ 4” brother carried Mom to his car and to her bed in his arms. She was too ill and weak to sit up.

Her goals then and now? To sit up and walk.

Rocco and Joseph delivered the chair Saturday evening. Getting the chair through the hallway and around a quick turn was a serious challenge.

I breathed a sigh of relief once the chair was through the doorway.

Rocco was struggling with the chair when I noticed the large scripted, cursive, multi-colored tattoo, running (large print to smaller print) the left side of Rocco’s shoulder and neck – up to his left jaw line.

I blinked and looked at the large word – counting at least eight letters.

I said softly, watching Rocco, “That’s some tattoo. Is that a name?”

He beamed, “Yes, it is.”

I pointed to his neck, “That must be an important person, yes?”

He beamed, “It’s my mother!”

I blinked hard, “Your mother?”

Rocco nodded, still chair-struggling (for my mother) and said, “And the other side of my neck has a name, too.” I blinked harder.

Rocco proudly twisted his body, holding the chair (with foldout bed, not a light piece of furniture) to show me the right side of his neck.

A second tattoo with multiple letters, each large and multi-colored, ran from his neck up to his right jaw-line.

I was stunned. Joseph, also holding the chair, just sighed.

I had a feeling he had heard this conversation.

Rocco then said, “The second name is my sister.”

My reply after listening to details of my father’s recent multiple midnight ER (serious) visits?

My reply after listening to Dad detailing how he left Mom alone (gasp) “again” to drive himself to the same emergency room Mom and my brother were recently patients?

I replied to Rocco a simple, “Get out!”

Rocco, “Yes, and do you know why my sister was upset?”

Hungry and stunned, I just shook my head.

Rocco, “My sister was upset I did my mother’s name first.”

For the first time in many hours, I threw my head back and laughed.

Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com

Part II of III is posted June 11, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part III of III is posted June 23, 2011, 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.

“I Don’t Listen Well,” He Said, Part III of III

2011-04-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

“I Don’t Listen Well,” He Said, Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I and II began:
My mother was admitted into the hospital via ER. We thought it was a virus or food poisoning.

Soon, she was in intensive care.

Mom spent nine days, including Christmas Eve and Christmas day, in ICU.

Several professionals pushed eyeglasses down their noses to look into my eyes and ask, “Who are you again?” when I asked a direct question, then fully listened.

Part III:
At one meeting (with multiple disciplines) I asked Dad entering the large room, “Do you think we should ask about palliative care for Mom?”

Dad snapped his head and said, “Palliative care? I just don’t want her leaving in a box today!”

At Mom’s bedside today, she asked what I was writing.

Nurses look directly into my lap to see ‘what’ I am writing now (with my pen) in my lap. I told Mom I was working on this article.

I did not name the topic.

Mom, a degreed elementary special education instructor, said, “You have been listening since you’ve been here. You’re not afraid of anyone. You know details. Write about this. Write about my experiences here.”

I winced, “Well, maybe not your experiences here.”

Mom looked directly to me, “Use the facts. Tell the truth. You are a court reporter! You listen.”

I ducked my head as nurses immediately stopped changing IV bags to look into my eyes.

One nurse - fully listening - draped IV lines over her shoulders.

I did not share this article started with “Gilgamesh” and a private conversation.

I smiled to Mom and kept my head down.

Later, Mom opened her eyes and asked, “What are you really writing about?”

(That woman can hunt.)

The nurse and the aid paused, and I said softly, “Lemonade, Mom. I’m writing about making lemonade.”

My mother, who has been so ill, giggled and said, “My daughter is a court reporter.

She can listen! All court reporters have sharp minds! They all do! They listen! People think I’m not listening when I lie here with my eyes closed. I don’t have to. My daughter is an experienced court reporter. They miss nothing!”

She looked to me and slowly winked her left eye.
I almost fell over with laughter.

I focused to remain ‘listening’ with the court reporter look.

Now I ask you: Have you noticed our listening moments?

We have skills that are different than other professionals. I have been told this over and over, and I have listened.

When you read this, I pray that Mom is in a healthier place.

And I thank you for listening.

Monette Benoit may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com

Part I of III is posted April 7, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part II of III is posted April 19, 2011, 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.

“I Don’t Listen Well,” He Said, Part II of III

2011-04-19T09:09:00.001-07:00

“I Don’t Listen Well,” He Said, Part II of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I began: When the medical specialist stood over my mother’s ICU bed and said, “I don’t listen well,” I was sure he was joking.

My mother was admitted into the hospital via ER. We thought it was a virus or food poisoning.

Soon, she was in intensive care.

Mom spent nine days, including Christmas Eve and Christmas day, in ICU.

Part II: Several professionals pushed eyeglasses down their noses to look into my eyes and ask, “Who are you again?” when I asked a direct question, then fully listened.

After many moments (several weeks), multiple shifts, medical disciplines, specialties, third-party contractors, housekeeping staff, and daily rotating staff, I am focused upon how people react with our “full listening.”

I had not wanted to “out myself” as a court reporter.

In fact, I worked to share that I’m an author – or teacher.
I asked Mom or Dad not to out me.

Each time a parent detailed, “She’s a court reporter, and she’s worked in court,” I saw a reaction.

I shared that I am here as a daughter.

(Then I would think of the “Jerry Seinfeld” show, “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”)

One doctor commented that he didn’t like that I was writing down words after people spoke. (I cannot make ‘that’ up.)

I explained that I write specific words to process the many, many (long) medical terms.

Perhaps I was asked not to write, not to make notes … and I listened to that request, too.

Then I wrote the details I might not have documented. A result?

One sampling: Mom received her “unavailable until Monday” scripted medicines (for an extreme rash) and had her teeth brushed late Saturday night. Really.

How was that accomplished?

I phoned late Saturday evening and said that I would bring my camera Sunday morning if Mom was not ‘treated’ with her meds and needs.

I was focused on preventing unnecessary suffering for the patient, my mother.

The hospital staff and I could not agree on the same focus.

Monette Benoit may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com

Part I of III is posted April 7, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part III of III is posted April 26, 2011, 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.

“I Don’t Listen Well,” He Said, Part I of III

2011-04-07T07:33:00.001-07:00

“I Don’t Listen Well,” He Said, Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

When the medical specialist stood over my mother’s ICU bed and said, “I don’t listen well,” I was sure he was joking.

My mother was admitted into the hospital via ER. We thought it was a virus or food poisoning.

Soon, she was in intensive care.

Mom spent nine days, including Christmas Eve and Christmas day, in ICU.

The seven doctors I met had fill-ins for Christmas holidays.
Some physicians had fill-ins for the fill-ins.

Yes, then we shifted back to fill-ins, and then back to the original doctors, Monday, December 27th, 2010, as each read the chart.

Many physicians and professionals shared details with me about specific windows of time each had to visit their family – or two families (their words).

I believe the holiday season, and watching me sit alone, shifted people as they “blew through” (their term) to ‘round’ my very sick mother.

A few whispered to me, “There but for the grace of God go I at my parent’s bedside.”

I nodded each time, listened, honored with their sharings.

Individuals privately discussed that they were driving distances to open gifts with loved ones with whom they no longer live.

As I listened, their eyes filled with tears.
Then each regained composure and continued ‘rounding’ of patients.

The physician I am writing about is a distinguished specialist with multiple letters after his name.

We liked this man immediately when he entered our small room (a unit) with a large smile.

Squeezed into an ICU spot, Dad had just described a CD series as “fascinating” and handed it to me with a simple, “Here you go.”

The physician’s interest was piqued; he asked about the CDs.

"The Buried Book, The Loss and Rediscovery of the Great Epic of Gilgamesh" by David Damrosch (unabridged) details “Gilgamesh himself at the dawn of recorded history,” from tablets lost in Mesopotamia.

The physician knew (a lot) about Gilgamesh.
He and my father began a spirited, factual, historical discussion ripe with proper nouns and dates.

Mom beamed in her bed.

Mom, Dad and the doctor had just discussed facts surrounding her grandfather’s, Adolphus Floyd, Civil War capture and two-time imprisonment (P.O.W.) for the south.

(I was pleasantly surprised that Mom was able to formulate the accurate facts and words – as she sick as she was.)

I stood at the foot of the bed and smiled.
It was so good to see bright spirits shine.

The nurse working one of many machines at bedside stopped to tip her head and listen, her back turned to us. I watched her, too.

Court reporters notice that, yes?

I had the Gilgamesh CD collection in my right hand.

Due to the doctor’s fascination and complete unabashed enthusiasm I asked softly, “Would you like to see the epic?”

The doctor quickly tucked his equipment around his neck and reached to my hand saying, “Yes! I don’t listen well.”

I paused before I softly teased about his work and why he was in the room – working in realtime.

Sincerely, he said, “Really. I score in the top percentile of the country for skills. Yet I don’t listen well. I need to see it.”

Dad said, “She’s a court reporter. You may want to watch your words. She remembers everything and can repeat your words back to you.”

The doctor said, “No, really. It’s true.”

I shared that he might be a profile for my next article saying, “I’m always trolling. Your ‘listening’ would be great for my court reporting column.”

Dad and Mom looked the best I had seen in a while. Everyone laughed, and all was right for a moment in our world.

The next day, the physician strolled into ICU and said, “I shouldn’t have said that to you, but it’s true.”

He re-introduced and expanded the conversation.

That’s when I said, “Now you are so the topic for my next column.”

Court reporters listen. We listen precisely.

We listen while thinking about our lists, working and tasking – all in realtime.
Others I’m learning? Not as much.

Christmas and then New Year’s became my quest to “listen” to their listening. People have (seriously explained to me) territories.

One could not simply step on another’s toes. (Excuse me?)

Many medical moments required instant decisions from family members with professionals, and then another specialist would enter and have a different request, set of facts, or “they can’t do that!” (Oh, yes, they did.)

One physician said, “I want to put them all in the same room and have them duke it out together.”

Dad reminded that doctor that I remember words.

The doctor said, “Good! I’m trying to help your mother! And save her life!” with two fists in the air.

I sat at the edge of the hard, uncomfortable chair, eyes and ears open.

I worked to avoid looking stunned (the court reporter look we know well).

Individuals wearing white coats and specialists wearing polo shirts appeared surprised that I listened at Mom’s bedside, then asked a brief question following a four-minute explanation.

This is what we do. We listen. We listen. Then we listen.

Monette Benoit may be reached for private tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com

Part II of III is posted April 19, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part III of III is posted April 26, 2011, 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.

“Promise Me You Will …” Part III of III

2011-02-22T17:17:00.001-08:00

“Promise Me You Will …” Part III of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

I returned a phone call to a person requesting help to pass the NCRA, National Court Reporters Association, written knowledge test, WKT, while the individual placed an order for CRR Books and CDs’ test prep books.

As we worked together, the person identified herself as a student and shared she had attended NCRA’s 2010 national convention. I smiled and said, “I bet you met wonderful people.”

The pause was noticeable. She then shared that she “met one person who spent time speaking” with her.

She shared how this one conversation had changed her views on studying. She shared how this event had changed her eagerness to sit down and practice. Again I thought, “I bet it did!”

When I first enrolled in court reporting school and was a student, many people said I could not do ‘this’ – too many. I listened to none – none with negative opinions. I continued with my turtle approach, one minute at a time, each five-minute test, each class, each academic course, each moment, and avoided ‘all’ negativity. I was not the stellar student or the one that people “knew would do this.” Nope.

I had to sign forms stating that I had been advised I might not make it out of the court reporting program. Additionally, I had to carry a double-major in all my studies due to signing those forms.

I signed the forms (plural occasions) and then taped each on the wall next to my desk where I studied in my dorm room. They did not have power over me, but served as a reminder of what I really – really wanted to accomplish.

Again I asked the student, “Promise me you will prove him wrong. Please.” She laughed with gusto and promised she would.

The bar of excellence is high for our court reporting field – as it should be with responsibilities we accept each day preserving events and history. (One year I was the court reporter for the porta-potty national convention – multiple 8-hour days. I cannot make this up. Who knew I would learn so much about that one topic? We each have grand moments and “Gee, it’s another day at the office moments, yes?”)

Here’s the thing: We are going to have successes as we train and create new goals. We are going to have a few challenges. And we are going to have people who enter our world with words that do not click with what we want to hear or need to hear. And that’s okay, too.

I asked the student if she would let someone in the grocery store share their opinion with her on what is best for her life, and she laughed, “Heck, no!”

Well, there are going to be wonderful people who enter our world with words of wisdom and “here’s what ‘you’ want to avoid” (I love meeting people who share those words). I still have people who tell me I cannot do what I am currently doing. And I smile. No words seem necessary. Truly.

We are also going to meet people who are negative because of their world right now – perhaps their skills, their ability to meet our current technology. No matter. That’s their world. That’s their path. It’s not our track. And that’s okay, too.

“Promise me you will prove him wrong. Please!”

If you meet individuals who share their opinions with you, then I invite you to prioritize whether they get an “in” pass into your path or – not. You get to choose. Always.

Should you have someone who offers their opinion, and it not what you believe to be true regarding your schooling, your work, your goals, your hopes and dreams, promise me that you will prove that person wrong – especially if you really, really want to do this. Then promise me – and yourself – that you will.

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! Private 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.

“Promise Me You Will …” Part II of III

2011-02-11T12:56:00.001-08:00

“Promise Me You Will …” Part II of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I began: I returned a phone call to a person requesting help to pass the NCRA, National Court Reporters Association, written knowledge test, WKT, while the individual placed an order for CRR Books and CDs’ test prep books.

As we worked together, the person identified herself as a student and shared she had attended NCRA’s 2010 national convention. I smiled and said, “I bet you met wonderful people.”

The pause was noticeable. She then shared that she “met one person who spent time speaking” with her.

“Great,” I replied.

There are so many talented (and amazing) court reporters who spend time speaking to students and who change their world – standing in a line together, seated within a seminar or strolling the busy exhibit halls.

The student paused again and said softly, “He told me that I couldn’t do this.”

Stunned, I looked directly into the phone before I said, “Excuse me?”

She repeated the words and identified the person.

“He told me I couldn’t do this,” and she sighed.

I was very clear that words may have power over us. Words may have power if we permit it (the power). An opinion is simply an opinion.

She sighed again, and shared how this one conversation had changed her trip to the national convention.

I thought, “I bet it did!”

She shared how this one conversation had changed her views on studying. She shared how this event had changed her eagerness to sit down and practice.

Again I thought, “I bet it did!”

When I first enrolled in court reporting school and was a student, many people said I could not do ‘this’ – too many. I listened to none – none with negative opinions. I continued with my turtle approach, one minute at a time, each five-minute test, each class, each academic course, each moment, and avoided ‘all’ negativity. I was not the stellar student or the one that people “knew would do this.” Nope.

I had to sign forms stating that I had been advised I might not make it out of the court reporting program. Additionally, I had to carry a double-major in all my studies due to signing those forms.

I signed the forms (plural occasions) and then taped each on the wall next to my desk where I studied in my dorm room. They did not have power over me, but served as a reminder of what I really – really wanted to accomplish.

Again I asked the student, “Promise me you will prove him wrong. Please.” She laughed with gusto and promised she would. She really would.

Is she now practicing? Yes. Is she now focused on success? Yes. Is she now removing the power those words had over her? Oh, yah.

This training and discipline in my opinion – creates moments and memories wherein we are working alone – a lot. We have to focus on technique, structure, theory, practice, vocabulary, technology, and a plethora of tasks.

Part I of III is posted February 8, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part III of III is posted February 22, 2011, 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! Private 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.

“Promise Me You Will …" Part I of III

2011-02-08T17:09:00.001-08:00

“Promise Me You Will …” Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

I returned a phone call to a person requesting help to pass the NCRA, National Court Reporters Association, written knowledge test, WKT, while the individual placed an order for CRR Books and CDs’ test prep books.

As we worked together, the person identified herself as a student and shared she had attended NCRA’s 2010 national convention. I smiled and said, “I bet you met wonderful people.”

The pause was noticeable. She then shared that she “met one person who spent time speaking” with her.

“Great,” I replied.

There are so many talented (and amazing) court reporters who spend time speaking to students and who change their world – standing in a line together, seated within a seminar or strolling the busy exhibit halls.

The student paused again and said softly, “He told me that I couldn’t do this.”

Stunned, I looked directly into the phone before I said, “Excuse me?”

She repeated the words and identified the person.

“He told me I couldn’t do this,” and she sighed.

I looked out the window and succinctly said, “Oh, promise me you will prove him wrong. Please. Please promise me.”

She was silent before her burst of laughter. I moved cautiously into the conversation that “what ‘he’ – one person – shared with you is his opinion. This is not hard data or hard facts. This is only his opinion – based upon meeting you (not in an academic or work setting) one time.”

I repeated, “I’m begging you. Please prove him wrong.”

Her voice softened. I asked what her goals are. What is her theory? What is her speed class, speed challenge. What would she like to do with her diploma and certifications once she earns each?

We discussed her CART goals (she had multiple CART possibilities).

Each goal was realistic and – and achievable – based upon the facts she shared with me that day.

The conversation breezed into a different direction. We completed our time together and finished the book order for her NCRA and state WKT, written knowledge test, exam.

Part II of III is posted February 11, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part III of III is posted February 22, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Private 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.
--

Part II of III is posted February 11, 2011, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part III of III is posted February 22, 2011, 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.

Punting, and Faux Pas Of The Century, Part III of III

2010-10-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

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.

Punting, and Faux Pas Of The Century, Part II of III

2010-10-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

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.

Punting, and Faux Pas Of The Century, Part I of III

2010-10-10T16:10:00.001-07:00

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.

What ‘They’ Really Want … Part III of III

2010-09-22T17:28:00.001-07:00

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.

What ‘They’ Really Want … Part II of III

2010-09-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

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.

What ‘They’ Really Want … Part I of III

2010-09-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

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.

"Shelley Arthur: Consummate Professional And Important Friend," Part III

2010-05-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

"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

"Shelley Arthur: Consummate Professional And Important Friend," Part II of III

2010-05-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

"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

Shelley Arthur: Consummate Professional And Important Friend, Part I of III

2010-05-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

"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

“Accuracy of Sign Interpreting & Real-Time to Deaf Students” Part III

2010-04-25T16:09:00.001-07:00

“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.

“Accuracy of Sign Interpreting & Real-Time to Deaf Students” Part II of III

2010-04-19T16:58:00.001-07:00

“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.

“Accuracy of Sign Interpreting & Real-Time to Deaf Students”

2010-04-07T11:48:00.001-07:00

“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.

A Number Of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D., Part III of III

2010-03-31T13:06:00.001-07:00

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.

A Number Of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D., Part II of III

2010-03-23T10:08:00.001-07:00

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.

A Number Of Firsts In Science Education With Karen Sadler, Ph.D., Part I of III

2010-03-17T11:20:00.001-07:00

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.

CART: Up-Skills For The Job, And Confidence For The Future, Part 3 of 3

2010-03-08T13:37:00.000-08:00

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.

CART: Up-Skills For The Job, And Confidence For The Future, Part 2 of 3

2010-02-25T07:43:00.001-08:00

CART: Up-Skills For The Job, And Confidence For The Future,
Part 2 of 3

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I was posted www.monettebenoit.com, 2/8/10.

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 II of 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!

Part 3 of 3 will be posted 3/8/10.

Michelle Coffey may be reached: www.pcri.ie and michelle@pcr.ie

Monette Benoit may be reached for private tutoring and coaching at 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.

Lose Him? Lose It? Part 3

2010-02-14T13:28:00.001-08:00

Mindful management is a term I share when I’m coaching professionals and students. I desire to share mindful management moments with you.

Monette’s Mindful Management: Lose Him? Lose It? Part 3

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I and Part 2 were posted on Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com, www.crrbooks.com and www.mylegal.com

That "Lose Him!" candle (discussed in Part 1 and 2) sparked conversations and discussion. How does this relate to mindful management? Messages come in all shapes and sizes.

Now we target “Lose It!” within our world. The focus is in the decision to act. You make the decision moment by moment with mindful management – at work, at the gym, while shopping and preparing for a great night’s sleep. You focus.

You selectively lose actions, items, experiences -- yes, people -- and your life will change. You will notice a difference.

Part 3: Once when I was moving (not a ‘throw move’ within a zip code, but a complete pack-ker-roo) I became overwhelmed with abundant tasks and responsibilities required in a short period of time.

I was packing a household to be placed (thrown) into a truck. My parents motored into the city to check on my processing (they would use the word “progress”) or lack thereof.

My father had a bottle of wine and garbage bags. He opened the wine, unwrapped three bags. I remained seated, sighing - a lot.

This guidance counselor, teacher, medic, social worker, psychologist (psych counselor with the Veterans Administration) said, “You only have three decisions. Yes. No. I don’t know. If you don’t know the answer, then the item goes into this I-don’t-know bag. No thinking. None. Yes. No. I don’t know.”

This action – once brought into a focus that was darn close to zero stress for me – became very doable. We zipped through the process(ing).

I was amazed at what I was willing ‘to lose’ based upon a possibility with three simple choices.

I incorporated that day’s life lesson into many aspects (buckets full) within my world.

When I learned a friend still had boxed items of a sibling who had died years ago I was stunned and amazed. (When my brother died, the day his few possessions arrived I opened everything. I had to process. I sat on the floor – felt my world shift. And that was good – to move forward.)

My friend, a nurse, had never opened her sister’s boxes saying, “It’s too painful.”

When I mentioned going through the boxes, she developed a headache. In real-time, I watched her become physically ill. The mere thought ‘froze’ her.

I placed three boxes on the floor. I held up each item asking, “Yes? No? Later?” She nodded or shook her head.

Soon we had moved through her sister’s ‘never-opened’ items. I saw her lose the tight grip the boxes (and inaction) had upon her.

“Lose It!” focus does not need to involve moving or dealing with items from a loved one.

The focus may be simplified to preparing for a job, departure time on a snowy or rainy highway, planning your time to produce a job, and selecting food (standing or sitting?).

What do you want to lose? Time-wasters? Items? Tasks achieving the same results?

Identify three items you want to lose (okay, make it one, if three is too high). Identify three redundant actions.

What do you need to lose to improve your world?

Would the results be worth the loss?

Then get a plan, a garbage bag, or new mental approach. Invest in yourself and “Losing It!” You will see forward motion.

What are you willing to lose based upon a possibility with simple choices?

Is this a timely message for Valentine’s Day? Many people contacted me to say, “Yes, and I want to lose …”

This is your opportunity to unblock, unpack and to undo routine patterns. Here is your opportunity to effectively implement a new task and a new action with mindful management.

When you decide on “Lose It!”, then I want you to note what you create (what arrives) that would not have had an opportunity if “Lose It!” had not become a focused action.

New moments arrive. New results occur. They do.

Mylegal.com Contributing Editor, Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, may be reached at www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com for customized coaching and test prep.

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.

CART: Up-Skills For The Job, And Confidence For The Future, Part I of III

2010-02-08T17:06:00.001-08:00

CART: Up-Skills For The Job, And Confidence For The Future
Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

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.

Michelle Coffey, RPR, CRI: I’m proud to say that Ireland was there at the beginning of court reporting, that is Ward Stone Ireland, who is generally accepted to be the inventor of the stenograph keyboard, as we know it today. But in modern-day Ireland the court reporting profession is under threat, from electronic recording and declining numbers of experienced professionals.

Ireland has a very different court-reporting environment to that of the United States. In Ireland we have a reasonably small number of court reporters; however, we also have a small number of courts in which to work. But when, in the last 18 months, a large portion of the courts moved over to electronic recording, we saw a massive reduction in the amount of available work for the reporters. This caused panic, with many reporters questioning what they were going to do now? How were they going to earn enough money?

All the ‘hard’ questions came to the fore.

We were left with a decision, whether to wade into the ever-shrinking marketplace and vie for work there, or to venture out into an area as yet untried in the Irish market.

The question of whether to stay in a declining marketplace, where everyone will undoubtedly face a decrease in earnings, or to look to a new opportunity which would leave the status quo relatively intact, was simple.

Our answer was CART.

And so, after many months of negotiations, explanations and demonstrations, we are proud to announce that the first-ever CART services have begun in Ireland.

Prior to this, a cart was something pulled by a horse; Irish CART services did not exist. Well, they didn’t!

But once we set out on this road we were determined to change that. So our first job was to engage with the different types of service providers already in this field.

Part 2 of 3 will be posted on Monette's Musings and www.CRRbooks.com on February 25, 2010.

Michelle Coffey may be reached: www.pcri.ie and michelle@pcr.ie

Monette Benoit may be reached for private tutoring and customized 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.

Monette’s Mindful Management: Lose Him? Part 2

2010-01-28T17:54:00.001-08:00

Mindful management is a term I share when I’m coaching, tutoring and assisting professionals and students with test prep. I desire to share mindful management moments with you.

Monette’s Mindful Management: Lose Him? Part 2

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I was posted on Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com, www.crrbooks.com and www.mylegal.com

That "Lose Him!" candle (discussed in Part I) truly sparked discussion.

Who would buy such a candle? How does one earn a candle from a friend -- or foe?

Would such a candle simply be left in a “handy” location or carefully placed next to a coffee cup to avoid embarrassing the gifter gifting the giftee?

How does this relate to mindful management?

Messages come in all shapes and sizes.

Now we target this message and “Lose It!” within our professional and personal world.

We have resolutions (and deals) we made with others and with ourselves, right?

We're not out of the month of January, yet individuals roll their eyes, laugh or sigh when someone asks how those New Year’s 2010 resolutions are surviving.

I desire to ask: What would you lose?

To narrow the field, we should hone “what would we lose?” to what we are paid to lose (work related), and what we desire to lose at home (paper, files, clutter, old technology items, etc.) And let's put diets in this discussion as many people want to lose pounds, right?

When you have the list created for what it is you want to lose, then focus that quest to location – your office, home, garage, desk, refrigerator, closets, your waist, etc.

The real deal in “Lose It!” and what is it we really want to lose is, in my opinion, in the consistency of how we integrate this action into our world.

When people ask what I would like to lose, I softly reply that I want to lose people (only as an example) who say, "I don't have time to take seminars or finish (fill in the blank) -- I’ll take less money to learn – while working. Then I can charge more.” (I always blink.)

Recently, I was asked to take $2.00 less per hour to have the opportunity to provide professional work. No joke.

It's not that hard to act on the “Lose It!” commitment once your focus is there.

Make a decision, give the decision a little leeway, then consistently act on your goal regarding that decision.

As an example, people I work with while coaching, tutoring and test prep tell me they want to lose time wasters, working on repetitive tasks without improving job and/or personal skills, the ability to -- (okay, take a deep breath) -- accept work at a fee where one truly believes they should be compensated - vs. - taking the lowest dollar number to “get” that job.

We identify first, then we isolate to lose the action, mindset, thought, activity second.

Once you look at the "lose it" list with a different view, you start to focus your day and also while cruising the grocery store with your half-empty grocery cart.

The focus is in the decision to act.

You make the decision moment by moment with mindful management – at work, at the gym, while shopping and preparing for a great night’s sleep. You focus.

You selectively lose actions, items, experiences -- yes, people -- and your life will change.
You will quickly notice a difference.

“Lose Him?, Part 3” will be published – when? On Valentine’s Day, February 14th.

Now you choose. Mindful management: What do you need? What do you want to lose?

Mylegal.com Contributing Editor, Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, may be reached at www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com for customized coaching and test prep.

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 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.

Leaves of Grass and Accuracy, Part 3 of 3

2010-01-20T12:21:00.001-08:00

Leaves of Grass and Accuracy, Part 3 of 3

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I was posted on Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com January 4, 2010
Part II was posted January 13, 2010

This month’s column initiates a dialogue - one I discussed with many. I have permission for each quote from students and reporters. Successful professionals said, “And call it a New Year’s resolution! You need to do this.”

I deal with this conversation every day with test prep as a tutor and coach working with students and court reporters.

I softly share this topic is like a splinter. Sometimes it gets irritated.

I salute the students now preparing to enter our field and court reporters advancing our skills. And thus we move forward as keepers of the record.

Part III:

Perhaps what is missing on “write it faster and figure it out after” is what is not being said. How is the individual’s vocabulary? How accurate is vocabulary recognition? What is the discipline to stroke accurately?

Robert W. McCormick was my theory instructor. He was NCRA’s 2004 Teacher of the Year and had expectations for each student. He still does.

Recalling my own court reporting training (within an NCRA-approved college), I still say – voice low – “It was like walking on broken glass, barefoot, uphill, both ways.” People in my dorm were majoring in “partying.”

There were no summer classes. You did it their way or your seat was yanked. And we signed papers documenting that we were often being reminded of the school's policy for 'zero tolerance' (my words there).

My granny said a rosary every morning I was enrolled, so I would “pass.” She did.

My parents prayed too, and they had a backup plan – which was not shared with me – should I not graduate. Yet they, each an educator, encouraged me every day – permitting few pity parties from their daughter.)

When we graduated from our program, we did not seek work.

At that time, the White House, FBI, CIA, Kodak and large companies exclusively hired his graduates.

Employers strolled the halls and contacted us – for court reporting – not transcribing with foot pedals.

What was emphasized? Theory, accuracy, discipline, words, English, punctuation. Learn theory; focus on accuracy; work on details.

So where are ‘leaves of grass’ from the title?

Since 1984, I have sponsored a foster child in the Philippines. Seychelle (and family) has been with us only four years. Yesterday I received a letter with her artwork. Next to her note was a picture with workers bent over a rice field.

In pencil she wrote, “I am now in college, studying at University. It’s really hard to be in college when you know that life is different from high school. It takes one and a half hour taking a ride to school, so I have to wake up early. During weekends, I focus on my studies and try not to hang out with my friends. And that’s how I go – taking another leaf to reach the peak of my success.”

Below her text was pencil artwork with the Olympics symbol.

My opinion is that court reporters and students frequently reach to take “another leaf to reach the peak of my success.”

When we are in the flow with a powerful theory, self-discipline, and avoiding shortcuts, success comes to us. We are not hoping ‘it’ accurately arrives – later.

Monette may be reached: Tutoring@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 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.

Leaves of Grass and Accuracy, Part 2 of 3

2010-01-13T11:26:00.001-08:00

Leaves of Grass and Accuracy, Part 2 of 3

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part I was posted January 4, 2010

This month’s column initiates a dialogue - one I discussed with many. I have permission for each quote from students and reporters. Successful professionals said, “And call it a New Year’s resolution! You need to do this.”

I deal with this conversation every day with test prep as a tutor and coach working with students and court reporters.

I softly share this topic is like a splinter. Sometimes it gets irritated.

I salute the students now preparing to enter our field and court reporters advancing our skills. And thus we move forward as keepers of the record.

Part II:

I tutor (and help with NCRA national and state test prep) individuals who share “the secret to success” discussed on forums and in class regarding how to pass tests is “by using a steno machine with paper and reading through garbage paper notes.” Really? Really?

As shared: Many agree that “writing from memory and transcribing through trash can be done.”

Students, “We were shocked when classmates and teachers validated that, telling us that our notes would clean up once we are working.”

“Secret to success” individuals shared this gem: “Just get your tests no matter what, and then when you're working it will be easier. And your notes will clean themselves up later.” (This includes notes – gasp – with drops, errors, missing Q&A banks, and punctuation.)

These conversations are from students not writing an accurate speed to get into a dictation room, and then hope for the “gift” tests with similar questions that simply (as an example) change wording only in exhibit numbers “a whole lot” – a gift (their term) of well over 12 times on occasion.

They always add, “It hasn’t helped others to pass state and NCRA RPR exams, but I need to get out of here. Besides, I can find a job somewhere. I’m willing to start low and work my way up. I’ll take less money … to learn.”

I could not disagree more with this “secret to success.”

If individuals are going to work on their accuracy after transcribing, after ‘reading through’ tests, after earning a certificate and/or graduation, what will get the person to accuracy later?

Where will the graduating individuals work? Captioning? Not live.

Attorneys and litigators now expect real-time due to technology, yes? Yes.

CART? That’s a whole other topic for accuracy, fingerspelling, knowing your dictionary, software, and deaf sensitivity.

Who is going to hire individuals ‘working on accuracy after I graduate’? Read any NCRA JCR magazines and articles on technology?

Those who hire students and court reporters who are going to “figure it out (write accurately) later” ask: “They must know the best-paying real-time jobs are given to reporters who write accurately, right?”

A technology manager insisted I share: “There’s always low hanging fruit on the trees; it just doesn’t pay very well, and doesn’t have steady work or any job security.”

Part III will be posted January 20, 2010.

Monette may be reached: Tutoring@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 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.

Leaves of Grass and Accuracy, Part I of 3

2010-01-04T17:22:00.001-08:00

Leaves of Grass and Accuracy, Part I of 3

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

This month’s column initiates a dialogue - one I discussed with many. I have permission for each quote from students and reporters. Successful professionals said, “And call it a New Year’s resolution! You need to do this.”

I deal with this conversation every day with test prep as a tutor and coach working with students and court reporters.

I softly share this topic is like a splinter. Sometimes it gets irritated.

I salute the students now preparing to enter our field and court reporters advancing our skills. And thus we move forward as keepers of the record.

Students continue to ask me (more often than one would like) if the best way to ‘get the test’ is “to read through your notes, then figure it out, and it ‘will’ come to you once you are out in the field, right? Besides, no one talks like that (speed) out there. You can read through errors on a five-minute test.”

Perhaps a speck of truth exists in that thought, but it certainly is not the whole story. One example: students (plural) who contact me in “200-225 rooms are working on 160-240 wpm (words per minute) with multiple speeds in one room.”

Students not able to accurately write – in multiple venues – are advised, “It will come to you. You can read your trash notes to pass that 5-minute test.”

I read on forums, “Failure rates for court reporting students are 90 percent; real-time theories have a lot to do with this. Get your speed up to pass and then graduate. Your accuracy will come to you once you’re out.”

Fact: The failure rate prior to implementation (creation) of real-time theories was posted at approximately 92 percent. (I had to sign a document stating I understood this. My parents received a copy with my signature from my college; they still comment upon this.)

If real-time theories have a relationship to stats now, how is it possible that we who wrote before “conflict-free” theories became the norm had a ‘percent’ near today’s existing number? And some say, “Real-time theories have a connection?” Many think not.

Successful real-time writers know we can not shortcut theory.

Is it possible that students who are self-described “brief junkies” – who, in an effort to get into higher speed classes brief words and phrases early in training – are pausing to think: “How do I write this? Is this word a brief from theory or one I made up?” Does this then create problems?

Creating briefs ‘on the fly’ as a professional will serve those individuals well. Yet that skill, if not refined with a strong foundation and accuracy, will have different results when used by students. It does.

Part II will be posted January 13, 2010.

Monette may be reached: Tutoring@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 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.

Simple Silence, Part III of III

2009-12-29T11:18:00.001-08:00

Simple Silence, Part III of III

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Simple Silent, Part I was posted 12/8/09, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part II was posted 12/19/09.

Simple Silence, Part III of III:

Again, the topic of sound – or lack thereof – is introduced.

In 1993, when I opened my CART “headquarters” within a sign interpreter’s business, I feng shui-ed my office see if it would generate more revenue.

Hearing and deaf trolled through and parked in chairs, sharing, “It feels peaceful.”

Maybe having been surrounded by music and sound as a child and adult created an opportunity for my choice.

My mother, a special education elementary instructor (certified in two states) and music teacher with an associate’s degree in opera, plays approximately seven instruments. She always played an instrument or brought one home to practice for class lessons.

Her mother, my grandmother, was a piano prodigy who formed her own orchestra in Corpus Christi, Texas. Each musician had to play a minimum of four instruments.

I grew up with a lot of sound. The day that astronauts landed on the moon, my family was traveling and camping in a pop-up tent trailer. We were in El Paso, Texas. My memory is brutally hot – no air conditioning or TV.

That day, my youngest brother, Kevin Drue, bought a (cheap) guitar. In that heat (with no trees in sight), Kevin sat on a barbecue table. I listened as he taught himself to play guitar in that unbelievable heat.

Several hours later Kevin was pretty darn good. Additional information for Kevin may be found: www.captainkevindonnelly.com

And I married a man who plays the guitar – a lot.

The younger generation? Yes, music (and video games) are played – a lot.

Often court reporters have had music lessons prior to entering our profession. This talent can be a plus for students.

Walking into stores now, typically music is now blaring. Studies reveal that people shop longer (with the air conditioning cranked up – even in cooler weather) when music is heard.

While reading e-mails today as I finished this article on sound, I read that several sign interpreting friends were commenting about a new, just-released CD they are purchasing.

One deaf friend wrote, “What is it? Country? Rock? ‘Sounds’ good! Ha-ha.”

Silence, in my opinion, is powerful. This is a conversation I have had with many friends who cannot hear sounds. (Watching – actually staring at – people who “sign” is considered to be eavesdropping as shared with me by the deaf community.) They are my teachers on the subject of sound.

Court reporters, captioners, students and instructors are accustomed to listening to rapid-fire, back-to-back words in talk-over conversations.

Often we think, “When are ‘they’ going to inhale? How long can this pace continue?”

We know people are talking faster in depositions, court, and on TV. The subject has been documented.

As we round the corner for holidays, adding tasks to busy schedules, I want to remind you to listen to simple silence.

The seed I am planting here – silence – as gifted by my deaf friends is “hearing the sound of sound.” I seek to resonate this moment within you. This is my simple silent wish.

Part I and Part II are posted www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

About the Author:

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA.

She is the author of multiple books and Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, Companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and ‘CATapult’ Your Dictionary CD Software Program series.

Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced www.crrbooks.com/

Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, real-time court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist. She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals.

Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: http://www.artcs.com/

Monette’s Mindful Management: Lose Him? Part I

2009-12-23T09:57:00.001-08:00

Mindful management is a term I share when I’m coaching, tutoring and assisting professionals and students with test prep. I desire to share mindful management moments with you.

Monette’s Mindful Management: Lose Him? Part I

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Carting (carrying) a list of tasks to accomplish, I added one stop to my list.

The store always has sales; it is the season to give.

I rationalized this thought pulling into the busy parking lot and found a spot near the door. A sign? Yes, I rationalized that, too.

Inside the store, people were bumping into each other, many ‘mindlessly’ (truly) walking aisles, bumping carts (baskets) into other customers.

I scooted around people in all shapes and sizes and scurried like a bunny.

I needed to return to the office for tutoring and coaching. I was on schedule with few minutes to spare. I focused on the clock and my mission.

Then I saw it. On a shelf, eye level, was the item that just made my day!

It was an elongated heart-shaped item. The background was beige.

Printed in large capital letters: Lose Him!

I paused and saw the wick. A candle that said “Lose Him!” in large black letters? In the Christmas clearance section? I roared with laughter.

Then I wondered, “Did I know anyone who ‘needed’ this candle?”

That thought, during the Christmas season, was comical to me. And the price? Multiple red stickers were placed on the candle. It was reduced to $1.99; yet alone it sat on the shelf.

My court reporter focus here on a work day began to wonder, “Why was there only one “Lose Him!” candle? Was there a “Lose Her!” candle? Why was it on clearance and still here at $1.99?”

When the first shopper walked past, I showed it to her and said, “Look at this.”

She paused, then roared with laughter. She said, “I don’t know anyone who needs that. Do you?”

Another shopper approached, cautiously using a walker for assistance, and this woman showed the item to the elderly woman. Yes, she paused, threw her head back and howled with laughter.

The elderly woman said, “I don’t know anyone who needs that now. Do you?”

As people approached, each ‘new’ person showed the next (virgin) customer this “Lose Him!” candle. Every single person had the same pause, head tilt, then sudden laughter.

I watched (court reporter focus, perhaps). I could not stop laughing.

Reluctantly I returned the candle to the shelf – multiple customers were now flocked in a group, chatting with one another. No one was bothered that the entire aisle was blocked. The laughter was infectious, and a man with a British accent (“visiting your country” - a few shoppers understood this to be "Texas") approached. Yes, customers showed him, too.

My opinion is the ‘right’ person will find that candle.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when “Lose Him!” is gifted this Christmas season, as I believe it will be. $1.99 for a special message like that? Yes, it will be a gift.

How does this relate to mindful management? Messages come in all shapes and sizes.

Part II will target this message and Lose Him! within our professional world.

As we approach Christmas and 2010, I seek to share the wonder of the season and the gift of laughter – especially when it unfolds in real-time within a holiday-filled gifting mission.

Part II will be posted January 2010. Part III will be posted Valentine's Day.

Now you choose. Mindful management: If I may help you, I want to do so. What do you need?

Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com

Mylegal.com Contributing Editor, Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, may be reached at www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com for customized coaching.

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

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.

Simple Silence, Part II of III

2009-12-18T20:19:00.001-08:00

Simple Silence

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Simple Silent, Part I was posted 12/8/09, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Part II of III:

Why am I sharing this special memory? I believe court reporters are sensitive to sound. It is, after all, our bread and butter. Deaf friends have asked, “Is there technology to accurately help me do what you do?”

I slowly shake my head with a smile, “Um, I don’t think so.”

The reply, always, “Me neither; I just wanted to know.” I am surprised how often this conversation evolves.

Another conversation evolves with court reporters and students while I coach and tutor.

I am repeatedly asked, “What are you listening to?”

When I inquire why this is being asked, I hear, “You are very quiet when I speak. Do you have your computer on? Are you doing something else? Do you have music playing?” I am surprised how often I hear these words.

I reply, “When I work – court, depo or CART – I am listening. When I am teaching, coaching, I am listening. This is what we do well. My computer is not on, so I may focus. There’s no music.”

Then I pause for the follow-up, which is sure to follow: “What do you have in the background? Fish tank? Fountain? What do you have for sound?”

I reply, “Silence. I have bird feeders outside. Truly, that’s it.”

Individuals with severe hearing loss (there are degrees) or profound deafness may not have sound.

Silence is powerful. Is that one reason we are comforted walking into church? Close church doors, and you may not hear external sounds. Open those doors, and the world instantly changes.

When people arrive at my office or home often silence is a topic. Adults pause, “What is that? No sound? It’s so silent. I can’t do that in my world or home.”

And some add, “I hate to leave; it’s peaceful, quiet.

Teens comment, “What? No TV, music? What’s up with that? It’s too quiet. Why?” Teens shrug, hands in the air, gesturing their thoughts on ‘no sound’.

Frequently, in the next sentence, individuals say, “I like it; it feels good” – or – they say the complete opposite, “I need something in the background; I could never do that.” (There’s not much middle ground on this.)

Again, the topic of sound – or lack thereof – is introduced.

In 1993, when I opened my CART “headquarters” within a sign interpreter’s business, I feng shui-ed my office see if it would generate more revenue.

Hearing and deaf trolled through and parked in chairs, sharing, “It feels peaceful.”

Maybe having been surrounded by music and sound as a child and adult created an opportunity for my choice.

Part III will be posted 12/29/09 on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

About the Author:

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA.

She is the author of multiple books and Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, Companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and ‘CATapult’ Your Dictionary CD Software Program series.

Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced www.crrbooks.com/

Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, real-time court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist. She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals.

Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: http://www.artcs.com/

Simple Silence, Part I of III

2009-12-08T17:35:00.001-08:00

Simple Silence, Part I of III

By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

I want to plant a seed; simple silence. Silence is powerful. I have Deaf friends (their term) who would not change their deafness. They embrace their world.

A special memory was created when I introduced two people who have been deaf since childhood. I met each through my CART, communication access real-time translation, work. They did not know each other and wanted to meet.

I met my friends for Sunday morning lunch (I called it ‘breaking bread together’) at a golf country club. I was a club visitor. Separately, each spent much time on the golf courses with their families. This was a comfortable environment for them.

While ordering food at the counter (which was then delivered), one friend stood with his hands tucked in his khaki pants pockets, shoulders back and down. He was reading our lips.

My other friend, the young lady, had her hands on the counter, and was reading the menu and watching our lips. She and I were signing (ASL, American Sign Language). He does not sign; he is oral deaf.

My male friend said, voice a tad louder than might have been for the Sunday country club, “Have you ever heard sound?”

I stepped back to watch this communication.

The dude taking our order gasped; golfers stepped away.

She voiced, “I don’t think so. I don’t know.”

My friends looked to me, paused, and smiled ‘ear to ear’.

My male friend who refuses to learn sign said, “I have no sound. Nothing! Never heard sound. Did you?”

She, who signs, said, “Maybe. I might have. I do not remember.”

Within the restaurant and outdoor patio, mature “bruncher” (my term) adults were seated at little round tables wearing tennis and golfing outfits.

Individuals now were ‘frozen’ (similar to within a photograph) – their food and fork suspended midair. Everyone clearly heard this conversation about sound.

Everyone, many with raised eyebrows, waited. No one – and I mean ‘no one’ – moved. I softly giggled and returned my attention to my friends.

My friends wrapped up the conversation, “I wonder what sound is like. Silence is good. It’s all I know.”

The counter-dude had not spoken to my friends while they ordered their lunch. (Yes, I worked to change that.

My friends handled the situation. How? Per their request, I ordered.)

I glanced behind me one more time. (Court reporter reaction, perhaps?)

People were now eating; yet there was no conversation in the room or patio. There was complete silence. People worked to avoid eye contact with us. I remember the moment well. And I ordered a glass of wine (before noon on Sunday), which I slowly sipped watching the moments unfold in real-time.

Part II of III will be posted 12/19/09 on www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

About the Author:

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA.

She is the author of multiple books and Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, Companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and ‘CATapult’ Your Dictionary CD Software Program series.

Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced www.crrbooks.com/

Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, real-time court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist. She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals.

Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: http://www.artcs.com/

“Monette’s Mindful Management: Wants, Needs & Pajamas, Part III

2009-11-30T12:31:00.001-08:00

“Monette’s Mindful Management: Wants, Needs And Pajamas, Part III of III”

By Monette Benoit

Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Mindful management is a term I share when I’m coaching, tutoring and assisting professionals and students with test prep. I desire to share mindful management moments with you.

Part I is linked November 5th: www.monettebenoit.com

Part II is Linked November 15th: www.monettebenoit.com

Mindful Management Part III: I softly said, “Yesterday was a need. You received pajamas on Christmas. Now, let’s figure out what you want. What do you really want for that first day of school?”

They eagerly shared details. One nephew really wanted T-shirts (all striped), jeans, and shorts (all checkered). One nephew really wanted football cleats, T-shirts (not striped) and jeans (not checkered). They beamed while describing their ‘wants’.

Off they went to the store with their mother. I chose to sit this one out knowing they spend little time together on activities like this. Soon, the phone rang with the boys phoning to give me updates. (They have never phoned with updates.)

“We didn’t find what we want, so we went to another store.”

Later I listened to, “The other store had what we want! And everything was on sale, too!”

Then, “We found what we really, really want and have money left over to get a fudge brownie. We have to get water; the drinks are too expensive. And the brownies are huge! This is great! Thanks!”

Several hours later, the doorbell rang (a surprise). I opened the door; one nephew held all his possessions up next to his face. The other nephew raced in and threw his new stuff on the floor to “let me show you now!!!!!” I beamed with pride.

As they held up their new items, each said, “This is really what I want.”

Leaving, they walked taller.

As each departed, they hugged me, I whispered, “Wants, needs and pajamas, right?”

They whispered private messages, which were my mindful moments.

Why am I writing about this?

I purchased three-ring notebooks, book covers, highlighters and items they ‘needed’ and items that the school said they ‘needed’. I also slipped each cash in case they saw something ‘essential’ … One nephew puts all money into a bank for car insurance; another nephew buys soft drinks and food for his friends who “have noooooo money, at all.”

A few days later when my phone headset broke (mid-morning on a work day), I raced to an office supply store. I was booked with coaching and court reporting all day; this headset was a ‘need'. I viewed the huge ‘SALE’ signs in the office supply store windows.

I phoned the nephews and asked one simple question, “Is there anything you need or want?”

The longest pause occurred, and I knew we were onto a new mindful moment.

When I prodded, my nephew whispered, “I don’t need anything, but I really want new pencils. And new erasers would be great. That’s all. The pencils and erasers are wants. It’s okay if I don’t get them. We can use the ones from last year. It’s not like they’re pajamas.” And he laughed.

Do you think I purchased new pencils? Yes. I gifted the items with a note, “Not Pajamas!” attached to packages of new pencils and new erasers.

Their mindful moments occurred several months ago.

As we now motor through the school year toward Thanksgiving, I hear my nephews saying, “Is ‘that’ a want or a need? You know – it’s not pajamas!”

How does this relate to our professional, technical world?

I am sitting here, Sunday evening, writing mindful management, which I want to share with each of you who may need to view the world from a different lens.

We have the ability to view each moment with a telescope or to expand our thinking.

Often it is the clarity to remember this ‘want’ or ‘need’ detail as we begin our day with tasks that are important to us – or are truly important to others, and we then accept that boundary.

Ask yourself often throughout your day and evening, “Is this a want or a need?”

When you have that detail, the goals, assignments and the never-ending lists of tasking that seem to appear in real-time will become more focused.

Remember this mindful management moment message.

Then, as the holidays approach, when you answer the phone, open your e-mails, greet friends, family and strangers, you will find that your actions and your expectations will flow with greater ease. They will.

Now you choose. Mindful management: And if I may help you, I want to do so. What do you need?

Mylegal.com Contributing Editor, Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CRI, CPE, may be reached at www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com for private coaching.

Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@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

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 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 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.

Monette’s Mindful Management: Wants, Needs And Pajamas, Part II of III

2009-11-15T15:30:00.000-08:00

“Monette’s Mindful Management: Wants, Needs And Pajamas, Part II of III”
November 2009

By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Mindful management is a term I share when I’m coaching, tutoring and assisting professionals and students with test prep. I desire to share mindful management moments with you.

Part I is linked November 5th: www.monettebenoit.com

Part II:

I began the Sunday phone conversation, “Hey, it’s Part II of the Back-to-School Special and this Event is for Wants.”

When the nephews arrived shortly thereafter, I asked each, “What is it that you want?” They sat silent, head down.

I softly asked if I could share an experience from my childhood. The boys nodded.

I shared: “Each Christmas my family drove 33 miles to my granny’s apartment. We then walked up four flights of stairs. My three brothers received, every year, what they needed - pajamas.”

“My brothers learned (instructed and often reminded each year by my parents) not to roll their eyes, not to toss the package backward – and were reminded how they should behave upon receipt of the very gift they absolutely did not want on Christmas.

Me? I received one gold pendant for my charm bracelet. Typically, my brothers did not speak to me during 'gifting' while they narrowed their eyes at their pajamas and my small box.”

The mindful experience I shared with my nephews that Sunday was:

“The pajamas were what each brother wanted, and needed, the day after Christmas. But never on Christmas. Since budgets were tight, my parents asked Granny for the one thing they (parents) needed for their sons each year.”

The boys listened intently.

I softly shared, “What you want and what you need will often be two things. Pajamas on Christmas morning is a need. What was wanted by boys - my brothers – on Christmas morning were trucks, sporting equipment or a gift coupon for a store. Cash would have been better – perhaps every child’s wish who ‘needs’ money."

“Yesterday was a need. You received pajamas on Christmas. Now, let’s figure out what you want. What do you really want for that first day of school?”

They eagerly shared details.

One nephew really wanted T-shirts (all striped), jeans, and shorts (all checkered).

One nephew really wanted football cleats, T-shirts (not striped) and over-sized jeans (not checkered).

They beamed while describing their ‘wants’.

Off they went to the store with their mother. …

Part III will be posted November 30, 2009.

Mylegal.com Contributing Editor, Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CRI, CPE, may be reached at www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com for private coaching.

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

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 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 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.

HV with HCV: Captain Kevin Donnelly

2009-11-14T09:21:00.001-08:00

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark;

the real tragedy in life is when men are afraid of the light."

--Plato

HV with HCV = Helping Veterans and Families with Hep C

www.captainkevindonnelly.com

Posted by Kevin’s Sister

"Why? I gave him my Word."

Monette’s Mindful Management: Wants, Needs And Pajamas, Part I of III

2009-11-05T09:06:00.001-08:00

Mindful management is a term I share when I’m coaching and assisting others. I desire to share mindful management moments with you.

Monette’s Mindful Management: Wants, Needs And Pajamas, Part I of III
November 2009

By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part II may be read November 15, 2009: www.monettebenoit.com
Part III may be read November 30, 2009: www.monettebenoit.com

Back-to-school for young adults (junior high) is momentous, yes? This year pre-back-to-school events in my family created a lifetime lesson. Sometimes a whole lesson – to include multiple generations with learned experiences – is summed up with a few words in my family.

Two nephews ‘needing’ items for back-to-school sat on my couch, head down. Their father, my brother, due to our economy, is unemployed. Pennies are tight; the young adults know this. Both are in honors classes. One recently earned a 100 on his TAKS, Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, test. He does not speak about this; he doesn't "think it's a big deal." Instead he focuses on football and X-box ...

I decided to have a “Hey, it’s Back-to-School Event!” to create adventure, fun and to help where I may.

The nephews smiled – and spoke about football practice, and what they will need for football. They did not share items for school and chose their words carefully. Then their mother said, “They need shoes.”

I calculated an amount and gave each nephew the total, so they could pick what they wanted. Note I use the word ‘want’ while others used ‘need’.

My husband, their WBU, World’s Best Uncle, set off with two eager young men, one on each side. I thought all was right with the world.

That evening when my husband returned he said, “That was work!”

Me: “Work? It was fun, right?”

Husband: “No, it was work!!!”

I phoned my nephews. Each was reluctant to share.

In summary, their uncle had stuck to the ‘need’ list given to them by a parent. That night I learned one nephew had new shoes. One had items he needed.

Each had received a new package of socks, which – they needed.

My reaction was, “Socks????”

I could not fathom how the T-shirts and jeans we had spoken about that afternoon did not materialize in their hands and closets. I learned that the ‘need’ list was the only shopping list that day.

Rather than upset everyone Saturday evening, I listened, then waited until the next morning to phone after church.

I began the Sunday phone conversation, “Hey, it’s Part II of the Back-to-School ‘Wants’ Special, and this event is for Wants.”

When the nephews arrived shortly thereafter, I asked each, “What is it that you want?” They sat silent, head down.

I softly asked if I could share an experience from my childhood. The boys nodded.

Part II will be posted November 15, 2009.

Mylegal.com Contributing Editor, Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CRI, CPE, may be reached at www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com for private coaching.

Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@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

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 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 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.

You, Ken-Tu And The Mockingbird, Part III of III

2009-10-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

You, Ken-Tu And The Mockingbird, Part III of III

Part I in this series was posted October 9, 2009, link: http://www.monettebenoit.com/2009_10_08_archive.html

Part II was posted October 13, 2009, link: http://www.monettebenoit.com/2009_10_13_archive.html

Later, I heard the garage open; my husband does not immediately enter. When he did, this husband was 'not' happy.

He slowly (perhaps to contain anger?) asked, "Did you know the mockingbird was in the garage when I pulled my car in?"

Me: “WHAT!?”

Husband: “Yes, dear, it was in, flying all over the garage.”

Me: “That can't be. I left the garage door just cracked.”

He: “Then that bird followed Ken-Tu. Ken-Tu was lying on his towel licking himself. The bird was flying into the walls and the ceiling. When I opened the door, it became trapped within the small space between the garage door and ceiling.”

Me: “WHAT!?”

He: “Yes, then – I had to get a broom.”

Me: “WHAT!?” (I could not keep a straight face.)

He: “The bird was frantic. It was throwing itself around, hurting itself.”

Me: “Really???”

He: “So, I had to use the broom, open the door to the side yard, move the mower and yard equipment, and sweep that bird out the side door – not an easy job – as it became more frantic.”

Me: “Maybe that bird will move? Where's Ken-Tu?”

He: “Asleep in the garage. What the hell were you thinking?”

Ken-Tu moved to the dining room and began pre-emptive screaming. If something looked at him, Ken-Tu screamed.

And the dog? You don't want to know.

Soon Ken-Tu moved into the bedroom. Woah, daddy! Did spit and hair fly.

But as life rolled itself forward, events calmed down. Ken-Tu now spends his time in the dead armadillo pose under our CD player.

As we prepare for the holidays, I wish you great peace and the ability to laugh at some of your/our silliness. I know ‘you-ken-tu’ grow from life’s lessons.

The day before I submitted this series, Chicos died in my arms. I desire to share with you that I continue to learn multiple lessons from this one question: “Is my life better from this experience?”

My answer today is ‘yes’ regarding Chicos and Ken-Tu.

And the mockingbird? It’s back – singing, perched on our garage roof.

Now I ask you, “What makes your experiences and your life lessons better?”

Part I and Part II were posted www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE 
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist 
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: http://www.artcs.com/

You, Ken-Tu And The Mockingbird, Part II of III

2009-10-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

You, Ken-Tu And The Mockingbird, Part II of III

Part I was posted October 8, 2009, and linked: http://www.monettebenoit.com/2009_10_08_archive.html

That afternoon – just prior to bringing the cat ‘in’ from the outdoors – my husband went to the store. Upon each return, I know he usually rushes in with the groceries. In my worry that my husband would trip over Ken-Tu (who was passionately vaulting head first into the laundry door to get back into the garage) – I opened the laundry room door to avoid a collision with my husband and this cat.

Thus, silliness begins.

Ken-Tu sprinted through the garage to the front yard. My husband stopped, his arms loaded with groceries. I immediately went after Ken-Tu, but I'm not as fast as the mockingbird living in our front yard. (Within the garage, Ken-Tu stood on a car roof looking through the window at that bird.)

Immediately, the mockingbird began diving Ken-Tu's head with its beak first. I headed for ‘escaped’ cat, avoiding all eye contact with my husband.

The cat darts for cover - in the neighbor's large hedges. Husband was cussing. It’s Texas hot; he immediately departed for Lowe's – “to return later.” Husband simply drove off and did not look back.

With my arms outstretched, I call Ken-Tu. The mockingbird never dove for me but flushed the cat out of hedges. The cat scampered, low to the ground – crossing into my yard, and went under our hedges. As I tried to retrieve this cat, Ken-Tu accurately swatted me.

In realtime, I remember that the neighbors might be watching – I’m in my short shorts bent over this cat in my front yard. I can just imagine someone saying, "Yes, and she hit that kitty." (No one could see the scratches ‘leaking’ small amounts of blood.)

I refrained from hitting the cat, which was swinging overhand with two paws after he rolled in dirt around all hedges.

I refocused on trying to coax cat back into our garage - until my meter goes off – and then I'm done.

I lowered the garage door to the height a cat could return to his food. Done. I returned into house. The kung-fu kitty was on its own.

Soon, I feel guilty; I sit in a chair within garage, reading my JCR, NCRA, Journal of Court Reporting, calling Ken-Tu until 'that' becomes silly. I can tell exactly where Ken-Tu was because of the mockingbird shrieks. That bird was working to injure that cat – feathers flew.

Part II and Part III will be posted www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE 
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist 
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

You, Ken-Tu And The Mockingbird, Part I of III

2009-10-08T09:45:00.001-07:00

You, Ken-Tu And The Mockingbird, Part I of III

Well, some days are not dull. I swear my life could be a sitcom. This is only one gem when silliness seemed to unfold at record pace.

I view many life lessons as I read forums and e-mails from court reporters and students. Respectfully, I share my life lesson below.

My sister-in-law appeared with nephews and skateboarding teens. She needed help closing her car’s trunk because the key had broken inside the lock. (Schools were closed for the swine flu.

Locally, skateboarding kids gathered in ‘teen pods’ [my term] – pretending to cough on each other, while laughing at adults.) That is the moment a cat appeared from the heavens on her car roof as we worked to help her close the trunk, so she could drive home.

In the driveway, a nephew gasped and pointed, “Hey! Where did that cat come from? It catapulted from the sky!”

The cat was bleeding with multiple fresh wounds on both sides of its neck and back.

Then the cat raced into our garage. It parked and sat with its front paws pointed ‘to’ the spot where my husband said a few hours earlier, had said, quote, "I wish I could do something about that mouse in the garage!"

That night, the cat placed a warm, dead mouse near my feet. How do I know? I picked it up.

I named the cat Ken-Tu. He did not understand any words except “stop that.”

I spoke to him saying, “You-ken-tu” and “He-ken-tu” as I observed the cat, considered adopting this wounded animal. Perhaps someone was missing their pet?

The vet shared Ken-Tu is eight years old and had been “homeless at least one year – possibly more, based upon deformed ears, ear mites and bulbous tumor that exploded, creating a cauliflower ear.” Ken-Tu ‘healed’ in the garage (post a huge vet bill).

Years ago, I volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, SVDP, as a caseworker. I also volunteered to assist in the initial organization of a new animal shelter (rescuing wild and abandoned animals) and a new women’s shelter. I learned many lessons.

Each event was a teacher, to me. I filled my car many times for families, children, rest homes and hospitals. We helped a wide area. I then delivered donations and offerings to individuals and churches.

The weekend I’m documenting, I was assisting my cat Chicos, a special spirit, who was in kidney failure for eight months. I softly teased people that I was the hand-maiden who shared food in syringes and “closed the deal.” (We have rituals; cats love rituals.) I administered IV subcu fluids, as needed; Chicos and I were rounding another one-way corner.

The court reporters and students whom I privately tutor and coach reached out to me. I know Chicos’ life was extended as others shared their experiences and their wisdom.

Soon on a Sunday, we decided to bring Ken-Tu into our humble house, which already had two cats and one 70-pound, two-year old dog (all rescued animals). Ken-Tu was in the laundry room, snarling as needed. At 17 pounds – our ‘starving kitty’ was a force. (Because of abuse – with little provocation – he swung overhand.)

Part II and Part III will be posted www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE 
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist 
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

Monette's Mindful Management: Choose Carefully: Choose Your Question Well, Part II of III

2009-10-05T17:38:00.001-07:00

Monette's Mindful Management

Part I, posted September 15th, shared “Choose Carefully: Choosing Your Answer Well, Part I of III"

This post contains "Choose Carefully: Choose Your Question Well, Part II of III"

The next morning I attended the invitation-only breakfast (with bankers). I arrived at 6:30, the mixer still a fresh memory. I was quickly informed, “This is a problem.”

The gentleman who invited me said, “Everyone is seated. You missed initial introductions.”

I gritted my teeth and said, “I missed the turn in the darkness and had to circle the entire city to find the dang entry.” He howled with laughter

He reminded me to keep my goal. I asked where the power table was; where were the bankers? He pointed to a table with multiple empty chairs. My friend smiled proudly as I headed off a little more confidant.

I walked to their table; I politely asked if a chair was available. I did not wear a hat or nametag.

They looked at me like I had three heads and said, “No.”

I focused on not speaking multiple words and calmly walked back to my friend near the doorway.

He was already in full gut-busting laughter. “You really do want this. Good for you! You’re going to have to sit over there (indicating). I have a chair reserved for you. You will do just fine there. Go.”

I looked deep into his eyes, avoided sighing (or mumbling).

He continued to laugh out loud, and rubbed one of my shoulders while I reassessed my moment. Watching my new friend intently, I headed off to my table.

Later he told me, “No one had ever asked to join the head table. One is asked.” Now he tells me.

After I sat, my friend approached and shared that I was his guest. I remained silent, then watched as he strolled away.

When he glanced back with a huge smile I did not blink, nor smile. We had an entire conversation with that one look.

During breakfast I was asked if I would like to attend a luncheon.

I had a full-time teaching job (two shifts) at the community college; that morning I had agreed to pay cash to a teacher to take my classes, so I could attend this breakfast. Truly

In response to the invite, I hoped I didn’t sound overwhelmed and replied, “Of course. When might that be?”

Details were shared: approximately one thousand people attend scheduled lunches; specific individuals, members, introduce themselves, speaking about their service and company

I just knew this was another opportunity – a new mindful moment. Chin up, I replied, “Yes, I will attend – if I can speak.”

They discussed this, and when they replied that they would make an exception for my first luncheon and help me, I sat tall.

I paused and said slowly, “I have one condition.” The leaders at this table did not laugh.

They sincerely inquired, “And what is that?”

I knew the answers last night, the questions this morning, and this possible condition was another opportunity that could change everything.

Chin up, I softly said, “I want to speak second.”

No one asked me why. They shared details. Then I was informed, “Yes, you may be second."

My reason? I knew with this ‘new moment’ and standing in front of approximately one thousand people waiting to speak, listening for others to begin and finish, I just might find that exit door.

Leaving the invite-only breakfast launched the one unfortunate (and awkward) moment thus far with my ‘needing’ to seek new goals. I heard my name …

Monette's Mindful Management, "Choose Carefully: Choose Well" Part III will be shared in two weeks.

MyLegal.com Contributing Editor, Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CRI, CPE, may be reached at www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com for private customized coaching and tutoring.

Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist Educational/Career Advancement

Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com

Please contact Monette@CRRbooks.com to request permission to repost or to add a link to this article, which was first posted on www.mylegal.com, September 30, 2009.

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE 
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist 

Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry


About the Author:

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA.

She is the author of multiple books and Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, Companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and ‘CATapult’ Your Dictionary CD Software Program series.

Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced www.crrbooks.com/

Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, real-time court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.

She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: http://www.artcs.com/

Monette's Mindful Management: Choose Your Answer Well, Part I of III

2009-09-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

Monette's Mindful Management

Choose Carefully: Choose Your Answer Well, Part I of III

This is the first of a new commitment I desire to share. I know we will learn from each other as we create new goals, new realities and new horizons. This is my wish.

Two or three times a month I will share mindful management. I am honored to have this opportunity, and from time to time I will open the kimono onto my heart. Now let’s move forward together.

Mindful management is a term I share when I’m coaching and assisting others in setting goals. I learned this term well.

Within my world, when a moment approaches and one knows that the answer, comment, question – words or lack thereof – will truly change the world as one knows it, this I have defined as mindful management.

In 1993 I had such a moment creating a new service to my community. Though San Antonio is the eighth largest city in the U.S., I was challenged trying to find how to share my services.

I had a different mission; I needed to do this. I knew people needed my service. I had prayed and received a sign.

If one believes in miracles, then that is what occurred.

If one does not believe in miracles, then it was a ‘Star Trek’ moment.

As I worked and juggled my priorities and responsibilities, I researched the chamber of commerce (we have many) and decided to join the Hispanic Chamber. I had my personal and professional reasons for this choice. I phoned; they could not have been nicer answering my questions.

The chamber hosts a mixer (their term) where professionals gather to meet, socialize and to conduct business. I ensured I was not teaching or providing captioning/CART for deaf and or hard-of-hearing consumers. Then I prepped for this opportunity.

The mixer was in a brewery. Truly. When I pulled into the parking lot, it took quite a while to find a parking spot. I was so nervous that I drove the block a few times debating if I really wanted to do this.

When I parked, as I gathered myself to begin this endeavor, I grabbed a hat I keep in my car. The hat that night was deep blue.

I paid my entry fee and stuck the paper to my shirt with my name (as required). The room had approximately 700 people who were already mixing.

Did I mention this was a brewery?

When I entered the large room, members were talking and laughing. I appeared to be the only individual standing alone, perhaps the only one who was not Hispanic standing near the doorway.

I was the only person wearing a blue bolero. I took a deep breath and walked into the loud, crowded room.

People watched – clearly watched me. I stood tall and worked to avoid looking nervous. Butterflies (and gentle fireflies) were in my stomach; I viewed doors for a possible exit.

But I had committed to this, so I worked to last a few minutes … walking alone, stopping and waiting. A few ‘mixers’ smiled, some nodded, but no one spoke to me.

I just knew there had to be a hospitality committee. I just knew (and hoped) someone would walk over and say hello. If not, I could still see the doors to the parking lot. I worked to avoid staring (longingly) at the exit doors.

Just as I seriously considered backing out of the room (to avoid anyone noticing my exit) a gentleman approached. He looked at me, then my hat.

He tilted his head, raised one eyebrow, and slowly said, “And … what can I do for you?”

I heard the tone in his voice and froze.

I had prepped thoroughly, but did not have an answer for ‘this’ question. I then worked to avoid looking nervous.

Finally I looked to him, chin up, and slowly said, “Introduce me to the most powerful people in this room.”

He paused and said, “Okay. Come with me.”

He took my left elbow, introducing himself as we walked.

Several groups stepped aside, nodding to this gentleman as we strolled into the middle of this large room.

He leaned over and whispered, “I hope you brought your business card.” I nodded.

He asked what I wanted from the evening; I had that answer prepared in short sentences.

The gentleman escorted me to three groups. After assertive introductions, names, companies, facts and a firm handshake from each person (business cards also exchanged) he said, “You’ve met the powerful people. You can go now. Really. Or you can get a drink, stay and relax.”

I paused, simply nodding. (I was still working to appear calm.)

He smiled and joked, “Well, now you can have some fun, Monette. By the way, want to meet all the bankers? Come to a breakfast tomorrow morning. I’ll introduce you. Now tell me what it is you really want.”

Monette's Mindful Management, "Choose Carefully: Choose Your Question Well" Part II will be shared in two weeks.

MyLegal.com Contributing Editor, Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CRI, CPE, may be reached at www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com for private customized coaching and tutoring.

Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com

Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist Educational/Career Advancement

Please contact Monette@CRRbooks.com to request permission to repost or to add a link to this article, which was first posted on www.mylegal.com, September 16, 2009.

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE 
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist 
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

On A Journey, Coaching, Goals & CART, Part III

2009-08-24T17:55:00.001-07:00

On A Journey, Coaching, Goals & CART, Part III

Part I and Part II are posted www.monettebenoit.com

During my second year, I had a health problem that stemmed from my previous illness and required surgery. I continued with academic homework and drills on my steno machine, but for several months my speedbuilding was “air steno” and visualization. I was in the hospital again six months later; so I practiced more “air steno” and visualization.

My husband was always there to encourage me to do what I could,

but also to ensure I did not do too much.

Monette Benoit played a huge role in my mental healing.

She helped me look beyond the pain and distress.

Monette encouraged me to put it all behind me,

so I could continue my journey and make the most of every day.

Each morning, I took small steps; I continued getting closer to my goal. One of the biggest motivators was my desire to see my first CART client.

When I get a smile, it will make it all worthwhile. I will know I am finally doing something that makes a difference in people’s lives.

It is now three and a half years since I started my journey. I am healthy. I graduated with honors, and I am working on my certifications. I know it is only a short time before I will see my first CART client smile, my second, and then my third, fourth, fifth, and more.

Monette: When Deborah and I first spoke about the possibility of private tutoring and coaching, I told her (my opinion) she would be a leader among court reporters. She touches your soul. Her professional contributions will enhance our occupation.

Welcome, Deborah – and each student and reporter – on your journey – wherein we preserve moments for CART consumers, captioning viewers, judicial settings, litigants and anyone needing verbatim realtime. Many court reporters and students have new goals. Do you?

Are you moving toward your goals and expanding your journey today?

What do you need? I’ll help, if I may.

Deborah Osborne may be reached: osbornerro@msn.com

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE 
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist 
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

About the Author:

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA.

She is the author of multiple books and Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, Companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and ‘CATapult’ Your Dictionary CD Software Program series.

Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced www.crrbooks.com/

Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, real-time court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist. She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.

Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: http://www.artcs.com/

On A Journey, Coaching, Goals & CART, Part II

2009-08-19T13:38:00.001-07:00

On A Journey, Coaching, Goals & CART, Part II

Part I is posted www.monettebenoit.com

My parents demonstrated strong work ethics. Dad always said, “Never take a paycheck if you don’t feel you earned it.” When young, I thought that was dumb – turn down money? Not me! As I matured, his words remained. Maybe that’s why people call me an overachiever.

Court reporting school tested that work ethic. Quitting never crossed my mind. I focused on my vision of providing CART. I knew the work and time would be worth it. My goal of providing CART seemed a long way off. Machine shorthand skill requires hard work, perseverance and faith. I focused on all three.

I started out in a brick-and-mortar school. I learned theory, but my experience was frustrating. I studied, practiced at home expecting to learn writing techniques, concepts and rules behind my theory while at school. Unfortunately, that did not happen.

It did not take long to realize I knew my theory better than my instructor. I knew there had to be more. I finished theory with a feeling that I was missing something.

When I started speed classes, the frustration became unbearable when I realized there was not a solid speedbuilding curriculum. I spoke to a member of the school administration. She told me that if I wasn’t happy, maybe I should get my education online.

When you are in school, you can easily forget that you are still in control of your life. You have choices. If something doesn’t feel right, you should research and seek advice; don’t be afraid of change.

Do the faculty and staff members really love what they are doing or is it just a job? Is the speedbuilding program a proven methodology, or do instructors have a hard time deciding what to dictate. Are instructors certified? Are instructors teaching you how to be a good court reporter, or do they focus on building speed?

When you ask a question, do you get a solid answer?

Is a private instructor a better fit than a school?

When in doubt, look for alternatives.

When I enrolled, I was coming off a serious illness that had me in the hospital and then my bed, almost a year. During my first week, I was too ill to realize why my pastor visited every day. Healing was slow.

I took on the challenge of court reporting school anyway. I regained strength as I continued to heal.

Part III is published August 24, 2009, www.monettebenoit.com

What do you need? I’ll help, if I may.

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE 
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist 
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

On A Journey, Coaching, Goals & CART, Part I

2009-08-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

On A Journey, Coaching, Goals & CART, Part I of III

Deborah Osborne reached out to me, early in her schooling, for tutoring to fulfill her goal to become a court reporter. Her spirit is bright. Frequently, I prepped strategic plans with processing for effective retention. Then, frequently, I would listen to Deborah and laugh so hard I had to put the phone down. Soon, she’d laugh, too. Then we’d get back to business, moving forward.

Deborah started realtiming during her sixth week of theory in the court reporting program. As we worked together I strongly encouraged Deborah attend NCRA’s 2007 convention.

I suggested seminars and people she should meet. Deborah, “I went to all the seminars related to CART and captioning.” Deborah shared the names of NCRA pioneers and leaders whom “I actually met!”

I softly teased, “You sat at the feet of the masters.” She laughed, sharing funny moments.

When dog died I also encouraged Deborah to get a puppy to help her advance in school – and to relieve stress. It worked. (Oh, it’s true. Just ask Deborah and her husband.)

Deborah passed NCRA’s RPR, WKT, written knowledge test, the first time using CRR Books material from www.CRRbooks.com and uses the CATapult CD every day to expand her skills.

I am so proud of this woman. When she graduated I wrote: “Welcome, Deborah. You are now in the adult section of the swimming pool. It’s a whole new world here.” Her reply was funny.

Deborah Osborne: When I turned down contracts in the high-tech consulting field I had worked in for over 20 years, people asked why. It was time to do something that made me feel like I was making a difference in people’s lives. I didn’t know what that was going to be or where I was headed. I simply knew I needed something different.

After leaving my job, I started a photography business. Soon, my first photograph was published in a national magazine, and more followed. I enjoyed photographing scenery and animals. Photography was not going to make the kind of difference in people’s lives I was looking for. I love photography. People tell me I’m gifted in that area, so I continued producing memorable images.

My husband asked what I thought about court reporting. I laughed. I had never thought about it. But it piqued my interest. After research, I found this intriguing aspect of reporting: CART. Now there was something that got me excited! I could utilize my technology background and make a difference in people’s lives. This sounded like the right direction. I enrolled in school and was instantly hooked.

The only times I got discouraged were the times when I waited too long to reach out for help. I struggled when I thought I needed to practice more to make progress.

Then I realized I was practicing more and accomplishing less, so I finally reached out to Monette Benoit, a real-time court reporter, tutor and motivational coach, and a new instructor at my school. My only regret is I did not reach out sooner.

Part II is published on August 19, 2009, www.monettebenoit.com

Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE 
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist 
Coach, Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the
Court Reporting
& Captioning Industry

Real-Time Rules And The Good Old Days, Part IV

2009-07-27T17:42:00.001-07:00

Realtime Rules And The Good Old Days, Part IV

By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Part IV in IV

Some of us have felt the realtime technical squeeze, holding our breath, as those of you who graduate realtime-ready – geared to go – may step right into a spot we could not envision.

Yet experienced and beginning realtime court reporting professionals are making their mark, producing verbatim records, recording history.

Court reporters, CART providers, broadcast captioners, and end-users with the savvy to stay on top of technical advances have guided (okay, dragged a few of us) many into a new era.

Deaf were the first to use pagers as hand-held tools. This astounded me in 1993 when I began realtiming to a large screen for St. Francis Di Paola’s Catholic deaf mass in San Antonio, Texas (praying to get better “quicker”).

We - early realtime writers - invented conflict-free strokes, phoned friends long distance (remember ‘long distance’?) to ask, “What about this …?”

I was routinely told consumers who are Deaf (not hard-of-hearing) led the paths for much of our communication equipment.

We, wordsmiths, are goal-focused and busy. We may simply look up and wonder what the fuss is about. Yet Deaf individuals were communicating in realtime much earlier than ‘hearing’.

How does this relate to Realtime Rules?

Techs, consumers, end-users and information managers know technology will continue. They remind me their goals are to push forward.

Individuals in global one-room apartments and garages are working on becoming the next huge company.

Court reporters and captioners remember specific events as memories; others read or listen to history. We now have a seat together - listening and preparing for future moments.

If you’re feeling Realtime Rules pressure, perhaps it’s time to look up and see how far this profession has come in the past few decades. Boy, howdy, have we evolved. I ended my June column, the third article in this “Realtime Rules” series, with “Lemonade, anyone?”

Court reporters continue to master the skill of thriving where excellence is requested and needed. We are powerful.

Realtime Rules means taking advantage of our technology and preserving huge opportunities. The bottom line is that we are essential in today’s economy.

Perhaps it is up to us to calculate the top-of-the-line, realtime-rules readiness, and deliverance in a national shortage.

I want you to remember that you are important. Realtime is now the good old days. Professionals will continue to motor forward. Others will take bite-sized pieces. The choice is yours.

So how will you reach out, then up? Focus your court reporting compass; concentrate and harness your strengths. You are the master of your path and our future.

Part I, II and III in "Realtime Rules And The Good Old Days" may be found on www.Monettebenoit.com