“The record is never about you.”
– Michael Bouley, Certified Freelance Stenographer
Every so often, a court reporter’s reflection reminds us why we do what we do—not for accolades or speed goals, but for the sacred trust we uphold as guardians of the record.
In a recent social post that struck a chord across the industry, Michael Bouley, a respected court reporter, reflected on one of the most emotionally difficult days of his career. While taking the testimony of a grieving father, he found himself deeply moved—not just by the story being told, but by the responsibility he held in capturing it with truth, precision, and care.
“Today I took the testimony of a grieving father. His young nursing student daughter was killed along with two friends in an accident with a big truck. The dad was my age. I remembered my own daughter at that age.”
This wasn’t just another job or another transcript. It was a moment where personal empathy met professional purpose—a moment where the skills honed through years of practice became a lifeline of dignity and record for someone in their darkest hour.
More Than a Job
This kind of court reporter reflection reminds us that court reporting is more than a skill. It’s a commitment. A calling. A quiet vow to be present in some of the most important, intimate, and painful stories a person may ever tell.
As Michael wrote:
“I said a prayer as I sat at my machine… that my skills and my transcript would honor this young lady’s life, would do justice by the family. Yeah, it’s my job, but it’s more than that. My father taught me the record is sacred. It’s not about me.”
In those words is a lesson not just for working reporters, but for students and professionals at every stage. The goal isn’t perfection for perfection’s sake—it’s preparing ourselves to be worthy of the stories we’re entrusted to capture.
For Students: Practice with Purpose
Court reporting school is hard. There’s no sugarcoating that. The long hours of practice, the plateaus in speed, the stress of drills and dictation—they all take their toll. But if you lose sight of why you’re learning to write so fast and so clean, you risk missing the heart of the profession.
“The next time you’re frustrated with your writing, remember the goal: You’re going to want to be worthy of the powerful, meaningful, emotional testimony you will be honored to capture.”
That perspective shifts everything. From frustration to focus. From pressure to purpose.
Write With Humility
Let this message serve as a rally cry: Get humble. Get ready. Not just for the technical demands of the job, but for the emotional and human ones, too.
“Practice as though the day is coming when a grieving mother will trust you to tell her story to the world. Get humble and keep practicing for her.”
Court reporters don’t just record words—we preserve history, ensure justice, and hold space for humanity in its rawest form. That’s not just a skill. That’s a sacred duty.
With heartfelt thanks to Michael Bouley, whose reflection inspired this post.
You can find his original words in the Encouraging Court Reporting Students Facebook group, where this post was first shared.
Stay humble. Keep practicing.
Because practice today becomes purpose tomorrow.
If you’re considering a career in stenography, check out the NCRA A to Z® program—a free intro course designed to help new students explore the field.
