"Nine Months, Then, Now And Darla"

Copyright 2006 by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.

Suzanne Small and I met “close to the close” the last day of NCRA’s Chicago convention. As I was explaining an aspect, a part, of court reporting and captioning dictionary enhancement, she announced, animated, eyebrows percolating, “No, no.  I don’t want part; I need CATapult’s full-meal deal.”  Thus began a new path for she and for me.  

Suzanne Small, RDR, CRR, CBC, CSR, CPE is talented, curious and wise.  Suzanne provides CART for meetings and classes, captions and freelances.

In 1977, Suzanne zipped from theory to 225 words per minute in nine months.  When she casually shared this information, I replied. “Nine months? We’re not talking a baby -- miscommunication, are we?”  “No, nine months.”  

Then and now, Suzanne seeks to expand her skills. She’s been conflict-free almost six years. In 2005, Suzanne placed fourth in Texas Realtime competition and 14th in NCRA’s Q&A Realtime Competition.  

Suzanne shares: “Currently, I accept captioning assignments and report depositions three days per week for clients who left their shingle hanging post-tort reform. Sundays, I CART for 50,000.  Scheduling is not without difficulty.  

“Then, I was a lone-ranger reporter (official in a one-District-Court) for years, followed by freelancing at a pace like my hair was on fire for years.  Now, I’m captioning.  

“From 13, I wanted to be a court reporter. Then, I loved words, the speed and skill aspect of being a court reporter.  In high school, I had a fabulous Gregg shorthand teacher, Ms. June Tisdale, who arrived the first day, threw books on her desk with all the might she could muster and with her meanest voice said, ‘If you don't want to eat, drink, breathe shorthand every day for the next year, get out. There'll only be three of you who complete and pass.’  Slowly, she let her meanness-guard down a fraction of a centimeter.  Then, I took her seriously, completing as one of three.
 
“Growing up in Fort Worth, my mother, Betty, typed for Bettye Tarleton, a criminal court reporter. Summers were peaceful and laconic, punctuated by earning enough money to go to the store to buy a comic book by stacking paper and carbons for Betty's 0&4 transcripts.  Dinners for my sister Darla and me involved hearing mom share what she’d transcribed from magnetic belts of Bettye's dictation.  
 
“Then, adding to the osmosis of Darla and me entering court reporting was the fact that our dad, Hal Monk, passed the bar exam on his first attempt in 1978.  Hal was the last person the State of Texas granted permission to sit for the bar having only ‘read law’ rather than attending law school.  A happier bar-card toter you have never seen.  
 
“Then, after attaining 90 hours of college credit consisting of basics and office occupations courses, I began court reporting school November 1977, finishing in nine months.  The school was small. Often, a teacher would not show; students read out loud.  

“In 1977, I read about learning styles and memorization techniques while in school.  This led to something I termed ‘brain-burning’ with my theory.  To be consumed with theory, I stared at the printed outlines burning them into my mind, until I finished school.  

“I passed the Texas 225 wpm and WKT, written knowledge test, on the first attempt.  Then, I didn't feel I passed.  I went back over the skill and WKT sections until they called ‘time.’   I am sure had I not checked and re-checked, I would not have passed.  
 
“Then, I began working as the official for Johnson County Court at Law in September.  After 14 months, I accepted an officialship for the 43rd Judicial District Court in Parker County, Texas.  The District Court was busy with a varied docket, sidewalk spitting to capital cases.
 
“Soon, I began freelancing in 1987 and have had a charmed work environment. I’ve had wonderful attorneys for clients I've enjoyed for nearly two decades. I feel like Pug in Winds of War with a front-row seat to multiple situations with local notoriety.  Several clients are friends. Now, my career has been more than I would have ever dreamed as a young reporter.  
 
“Then, in 2003, with the trend of the voting public buying into the idea we should not have rights to the courthouse, I became concerned.  I slowly opened an ear to captioning.  The technical knowledge requirements and small margin for error was daunting.  Then, an attorney asked that I transcribe a two-minute tape segment of local news for evidence in a defamation lawsuit. It took hours; I had to replay it innumerable times. I was shocked, disappointed at my skill level.
 
“Then, having been a busy reporter for 20-plus years, it was not easy to admit I had a long way to go as a captioner.  During retraining, I couldn't help but wonder if I’d spent 25 years of reporting, writing only, ‘State your name. State your name.’  

“Then, I learned the variety of material for captioning is several times that needed for even a busy reporter with a 20-plus year dictionary.  Retraining, my personal dictionary grew from 80,000 to 210,000.
 
“Then and now, I've learned that my job is to be ready and not base business decisions on fear. Get ready for opportunity; when it comes along, we have options.

“The challenge of becoming a better captioner and the desire for covering material I scheduled for brain-burning each now has a good bit of my spare time spoken for in the foreseeable future.”

Monette:  Nine months to certification, brain-burning, retraining. Should you have an opportunity to meet this energetic lady who assists others with their dreams and goals, do. I have laughed so hard, my ribs hurt listening to her humorous, numerous adventures.  I am a better court reporter, better teacher, a better person because Suzanne shared professional and private information from her world.  

Suzanne’s sister, Darla Monk Harder, Texas CSR, Mensa member, was a talented court reporter, instructor and CART provider. Darla served as Tarrant’s County Court Reporters Association Treasurer prior to her death on September 15, 2004.

I met Darla within a one-day TCRA event when I volunteered to assist others to learn how to CART before Texas implemented a CART test. Then, Darla was preparing her skills to include CART.

Darla’s bright spirit departed too soon; her vivacious laughter and smiles are remembered by many.  Now, Suzanne is honored to share, helping others in Darla’s name.

Our goal this month is to ensure you have opportunities to expand your skills, your talents and to experience brain-burning moments.  Peace to Darla’s family, friends and Hard-of-Hearing, HOH, consumers who treasure and have very special memories from Darla.

Suzanne Small may be reached at small.suzanne@sbcglobal.net  

January 2007, Suzanne Small and I completed "Life Mapping And Self-Improvement" about her graduation from school in nine months. This article may be found: http://crrbooks.com/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=65

Monette may be reached at Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
 

About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA, author of multiple books to include the state and national CSR, RPR, RMR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ textbook, workbook, study guide, ‘CRRT WKT’ CD and the ‘CATapult Your Dictionary’ CD series. Books, CDs and articles may be referenced www.CRRbooks.com

Monette is a consultant, realtime court reporter and CART provider. She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students 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 may be reached at: www.CATapultdix.com, www.CRRbooks.com and www.ARTCS.com