Leaves of Grass and Accuracy, Part 3 of 3

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

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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” …

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Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!

About Monette Benoit:

As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.

Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.

Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.

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