The Guardian
College of Court Reporting, EST. 1984
CCR Student Spotlight
Why I will be a great court reporter.
By: Stephanie Oldeck, NCRA CASE scholarship winner.
The position of court reporter serves an important purpose within the court system. Court reporters are under constant pressure to perform, they must be able to multitask and juggle strict deadlines, and they must have constant discipline. I possess many of the skills needed to be a great court reporter. I have dexterity in my fingers that allow me to type quickly, I have advanced development of executive functions, and I have an excellent concept of the English language and its grammar components (“Reporting for Duty”).
Throughout my formative years and into college, I played flute in band. The flute part includes the melody and difficult flourishes and trills that require excellent dexterity and perseverance. I had to practice for long periods of time, speedbuilding difficult sections until I mastered them. I have experienced a similar process while speedbuilding in stenography. Stenography requires constant repetition, speedbuilding, and difficult fingering combinations. My skill as a flute player has increased my ability to quickly learn, retain, and master stenography fingerings. Both flute and stenography require hands to operate independently of each other. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between music and executive functions (Hicks and Sepega). Playing an instrument engages every major part of the central nervous system, and it includes four of the five physical senses (Sapega). I have found that practicing stenography engages the same four senses, which leads me to believe that it may engage the same brain regions as playing an instrument. Since engaging the brain in this way positively affects memory and multitasking (Sapega, Hicks), I am convinced that my personal ability to work quickly, multitask, and maintain focus can be attributed to my skills as a musician, and they have translated directly to my skills as a stenographer.
Court reporting is as much about writing at high speeds as it is about producing a clean transcript. I know that I will excel at preparing transcripts. I have always had a strong grasp of English and grammar, and I obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Central Michigan University in 2015. A comprehensive understanding of grammar, proofing transcripts, and an advanced vocabulary are important skills as a court reporter (“Speedbuilding Tips” and Houghton). My experiences have awarded me knowledge of the use of language and how to properly punctuate spoken dialogue and transcripts. I am often sought out to proof emails, essays, and orders at work. My background in English has provided me with a more advanced vocabulary, which helps decrease hesitation during dictation (“Speedbuilding Tips”). These skills will translate into transcripts that are grammatically correct with minimal mistakes.
Finally, being a court reporter requires a high level of professionalism. It means maintaining composure in the light of difficult-to-hear testimony, suspending personal judgments, and practicing confidentiality on the contents of cases (Houghton and “Essential Traits of a Good Court Reporter”). I will be able to stay neutral while taking down testimony. I would never allow myself to speculate as to the guilt of a defendant; it is not my job to judge, but rather to take down the record. I will be able to maintain client and case confidentiality by never discussing ongoing cases outside of the courtroom. I am punctual and never late. I am organized and will be prepared when I come into the courtroom. I would be systematic about tagging evidence, and I would be able to anticipate my judge’s needs and requests for case information.
In summary, I possess many of the key qualities in successful court reporters. My experience in band has given me great finger dexterity that aids in writing steno. This experience also aids in my advanced execution of executive functions. My background education in English lends great merit in my ability to produce grammatically correct transcripts. Finally, I possess excellent professional qualities required for court reporters to emulate. The accumulation and sum of these skills makes me confident that I will succeed as a great court reporter.
Works Cited
Hicks, George. “How Playing Music Affects The Developing Brain.” WBUR, 17 July 2014, www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2014/07/17/music-language-brain.
Houghton, Dawn. “Top 10 Skills of the Best Court Reporters.” OBrien & Bails, 16 Nov. 2016, www.obrienandbails.com/top-10-skills-of-the-best-court-reporters/.
Sapega, Sally. “Playing an Instrument: Better for Your Brain than Just Listening – PR News.” Penn Medicine News, 30 Jan. 2017, www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-blog/2017/january/playing-an-instrument-better-for-your-brain-than-just-listening.
“Essential Traits of a Good Court Reporter.” How to Become a Court Reporter Stenographer, 16 June 2014, www.courtreporteredu.org/2014/06/essential-traits-of-a-good-court-reporter/.
“Reporting for Duty: Skills Court Reporters Need to Know.” Bossreporting.com, Boss Certified Realtime Reporting, Inc., 20 July 2018, bossreporting.com/reporting-for-duty-skills-court-reporters-need-to-know/.
“Speedbuilding Tips.” Gregg Shorthand Pitman Shorthand Speedwriting Shorthand, 25 May 2009, www.shorthandshorthandshorthand.com/Speedbuilding.htm.
CCR Faculty Spotlight
CCR Faculty member WINS NCRA Teacher of the Year!
Melissa brings years of court reporting work experience to her classes. She has a passion and love for the profession that she shares with her students. From 2017 to the present, Melissa has taught a variety of classes for College of Court Reporting. She is often her online I-office after her classroom hours where she tutors students with grammar/English issues, helps students with Case CATalyst problems, meets with students to keep them current with assignments and projects, and just for a pep talk. In addition, Melissa calls and speaks with students who are struggling with both technology issues and speedbuilding. She is devoted to helping all students with technology issues. All teachers look to Melissa for help and guidance.
Her coworker, Janet Noel said this about Melissa: "Melissa is a communicator, a gentle soul, and always on top of her game. She is enthusiastic, caring, and devoted to her students. I have personally observed this, as we work side by side with our students. Her teaching style is creative and innovative. She is consistently praised in her end-of-the semester-evaluations. Melissa IS an outstanding educator. "
Paige finished her final speeds.
Way to go, Paige.
We are super proud of you. --Faculty and Staff of CCR
Curious About Voice Writing?
This video provides an excellent demonstration of the voice method.
CCR's next voice class starts soon. Contact the admissions department at info@ccr.edu for more information.
NCRA set to announce new president
RESTON, VA - July 20, 2020 — Christine Phipps, RPR, owner of Phipps Court Reporting, Inc., based in West Palm Beach, FL, is set to be installed as the 2020-2021 President of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), the country’s leading organization representing stenographic court reporters, captioners, and legal videographers. Phipps will take office on Aug. 8 during the Association’s Connect 2020, a virtual event that takes place Aug. 7-9 in lieu of the traditional Conference & Expo that was canceled due to COVID-19.
Phipps is a court reporter with 27 years of experience. She is the second NCRA member from Florida to serve as the Association’s President in its 121-year history.
As a single mother, she founded Phipps Reporting, which now has offices throughout Florida as well as satellite offices in 47 states. She is the recipient of a number of business awards including Woman of Outstanding Leadership by the International Women’s Leadership Association and Most Enterprising Women of the Year by Enterprising Women magazine. Her firm was included in Inc. magazine’s Fastest Growing Companies in America in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
NCRA Virtual Convention 2020
No packing necessary! Just mark your calendar and register to join us virtually Aug. 7-9 for the NCRA Connect Virtual 2020. Register by July 15, and take advantage of the savings being offered during the early access period.
“Unfortunately, we were forced to cancel the 2020 Annual Conference & Expo due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are excited to announce that registration is opening for NCRA Connect Virtual 2020, which promises to bring learning, fun, networking, and more to members and nonmembers whether they are court reporters, captioners, legal videographers, teachers, or students,” said NCRA President Max Curry, RPR, CRI. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of joining together to celebrate our profession and each other via this new virtual platform.”
Only $60 for a student registration!
Subscribe TODAY!!
NCRA CASE Student Scholarship
The Council on Approved Student Education (CASE) is pleased to announce that nominations are being solicited for the 2020 CASE Student Scholarship. Students from NCRA-approved reporter education programs are encouraged to apply for consideration of the five scholarship awards in the amounts of $250, $500, $750, $1000, and $1500.
This scholarship is offered through the NCRA. Students must meet the eligibility requirements and submit the completed application listed below to qualify for the scholarship. Notification of the CASE Scholarship is sent each February to all NCRA-approved court reporting programs.
To be eligible to apply for the CASE student scholarship, students must meet the criteria below:
- Attend an NCRA-approved court reporting program;
- Hold student membership in NCRA;
- Have attained an exemplary academic record;
- Have passed one skills test writing 140-180 words per minute at the time of submission.
The following documents are required to be submitted for application:
- Speed verification form;
- Three recommendation forms;
- A copy of the student's most recent transcript;
- An essay on a subject: What do you think makes you good at writing steno and what skill sets do you possess that you believe will help you build your career as a court reporter?
NCRA A to Z Scholarship
The Veritext Court Reporting Student Scholarship
Horace Webb Scholarship
The National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) awards this scholarship to voice court reporting students. The application deadline is usually April 15. The 2020 application has not been posted yet.
Naegeli Deposition and Trial Scholarship Opportunity
ABC, NBC, CBS?? Nah...we have your fav channels right here!
http://www.channels.ev360es.com/
CCR is accredited.
It's Not Too Late!
Semester Start Date: August 17, 2020.
Registration Deadline EXTENDED: July 31, 2019
Contact Nicky Rodriquez at 866-294-3974 ext. 222 or nicky.rodriquez@ccr.edu for more information.
Welcome to The Guardian Version of the Job Drawer!
JOB DRAWER
FOR MORE INFORMATION GIVE US A CALL TODAY!
Director of Admissions
Nicky Rodriquez
(866) 294 - 3974 ext.222
nicky.rodriquez@ccr.edu
College of Court Reporting
Email: info@ccr.edu
Website: www.ccr.edu
Location: Valparaiso, IN, United States
Phone: 219-531-1459
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccr.edu/
Twitter: @collegecourtrep