At BlueLedge, our instructors are the heart of what we do. With more than 106 years of combined industry experience, they bring real-world insight, strong industry connections, and a passion for teaching. Through 46 courses and live webinars, they empower students at every stage of their journey to reach their goals in the legal field. This series introduces you to the experts guiding your path to success.
Meet Merritt | Meet Tamara | Meet Kristin | Meet Sharon | Meet Natalie
Kristin Dwyer, Instructor
Kristin obtained her AS degree in Court Reporting from Orlando College in 1995. She is an RPR-certified stenographic reporter with over 25 years of experience in reporting and legal transcription. She has been an instructor with BlueLedge since January 2023.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career that you now share with students?
The most valuable lesson I learned from my experience is one I try to impart to our students: You can never be too prepared. The field of court reporting is all about being professional, flexible, and prompt (five minutes early is still considered late). When covering legal proceedings, you’ll encounter situations unlike any other, making it important to stay professional, adapt when necessary, and respond with confidence.
What part of teaching do you enjoy most?
The part of teaching I enjoy the most is the appreciation our students show. I’ve been passionate about this field since I started court reporting school. Answering students’ questions and explaining concepts with my real-world experience is so rewarding. I feel lucky to share my experience in the field with people who are just starting out. I had a few mentors when I began working as a court reporter, and I try to be that for our students.
What’s a common misconception people have about this industry that you love to correct?
A common misconception people have about this field is that with all the new technology, our jobs will be obsolete in the future. When I was in reporting school, they would say that technology might eventually take over, and we would not have jobs. I love to point out that over 30 years later, this field is still thriving with humans controlling the technology. There will always need to be a human who is a part of the court reporting process to ensure ethical protocols are adhered to and that verbatim, certified transcripts can be produced.
How have you seen students benefit from the training we offer?
The most meaningful indicator of our training’s impact comes directly from our graduates themselves. I regularly receive emails from former students who’ve successfully achieved AAERT certification, and they credit our coursework as instrumental to their success. Beyond the certification achievements, students report feeling genuinely prepared for real-world scenarios, confident in their technical competencies, and equipped with both the practical skills and theoretical foundation needed to excel in their field.
What aspect of teaching energizes you most?
Teaching energizes me because I am so passionate about this field. I love all the questions I am asked about court reporting and legal transcription because the more curious and attentive a student is, the better they will be at this detail-oriented job.
TESTIMONIAL
My experience with BlueLedge has been absolutely fantastic. All the necessary information is laid out well, making it easy to understand and navigate. I was nervous about taking my class, but they made the process seamless. And a special thank you to my instructor, Kristin, who always went above and beyond to help me grow and succeed. Thank you so much for such a great experience!
– Jessica Junkin