For 35 years, I’ve taught court reporters, captioners, instructors, and students how to take full advantage of their CAT software to produce cleaner, more accurate translation and output quality transcripts with less effort. Throughout that time, I’ve learned a lot about every aspect of the work that goes into creating a record… all except for the actual writing. I know every machine Stenograph has ever made inside and out, and I know enough theory that I can position my fingers on the keys and write well enough to demonstrate, but I cannot do what my students do: write at the speed that speakers speak.
Yet.
If you see me at the NCRA Convention in Louisville August 1-3, you’ll notice that in addition to my 35-year member and Speaker ribbons, a new ribbon on my name tag this year will say STUDENT. I’m very proud to announce that I’ve been accepted as an online student at Clark State College and will be taking Theory I, beginning next month. Before that, I will be attending Project Steno’s Basic Training class.
Why? First and foremost, I know that empathy is as important a tool for a teacher as the ability to communicate clearly, whether I am speaking to my customers or my colleagues. When you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes and understand their experience, you are much better positioned to provide help and clarity when teaching. It’s one thing to listen to stories and be aware of the required hours of practice and challenges of gaining speed and endurance, but of course, it’s entirely different to experience the process firsthand.
Second, if I succeed and gain the ability to write the spoken word, it will enable me to improve the quality of the standard files I use for teaching. It will expand my ability to demonstrate the purpose for and the practice of using various features in CATalyst. This will make it much easier to assist my colleagues as well as my customers. I would be better able to assist in so many ways – testing for technical support and development and explaining concepts to marketing, manufacturing, and management.
It also introduces the possibility that I will build sufficient speed to become certified. If I can do that, perhaps one day, if and when I’m ready to retire, I will shift from the role of employee to customer.
As many of you know, I’m a second generation Stenograph employee: my mom worked for Stenograph for many years. Through her, I first learned steno theory over 50 years ago, before there was such a thing as long vowels. I didn’t know whether I’d ever use that knowledge – I just thought it was cool. Like everyone who has ever looked at a writer and watched a reporter and been amazed that they can do what they do — I’m delighted and excited to finally have the opportunity to explore this particular path and add this skill to my toolkit.
Wish me luck! I plan to chronicle this journey on Substack. Feel free to join me there at https://stenocindi.substack.com/!