Challenge and Success

Franca Muraca

Every time someone asked how I was doing during the MA-ALS Program, I would say, “It’s exactly like trying to drink out of a firehose!”

When I began the Program, I thought I would have a bit of an advantage. I was an educator, held a Master’s degree in Administration, and was one of the more “mature” members of our cohort. Man, was I ever wrong!

I distinctly remember Ron Usher saying that learning about the law is like learning another language. Awesome! As a former language teacher, I knew all about language learning. Did that help? Not at all!

Several students in my cohort were leaving their former careers to venture into something new. We all came from such varied personal circumstances; they either facilitated our MA-ALS experience or made it even more challenging. Some students were able to be fully dedicated to their studies; others worked at their day-job and studied at night and on weekends.

Some of us had help at home— with significant others at-theready to help. Some had newborn babies; others were free of the added responsibility of children. A single mom with two daughters, I had to work during the day and study at night. My father was in failing health, as well. Life didn’t stop because I made the decision to become a BC Notary.

The ideal learning situation takes place when a student feels the professor really cares and wants the learner to succeed.

I love to learn, even more than I love to teach; that is what saved me through one of my most grueling academic experiences.

There is an art to making complex subjects easy to digest for individual learners. A select few gifted professors can make a topic that is as complicated and vast as the law—fun and enjoyable. The ideal learning situation takes place when a student feels the professor really cares and wants the learner to succeed.

©iStockphoto.com/Chainarong Prasertthai

Dr. Margaret Hall and Ron Usher were my favourites. Dr. Hall is brilliant, kind, and sweet and she genuinely cares for her Dr. Margaret Hall students. . . and she has so much patience! Her tests are killer, but she is a fair marker. When I did well in her class, I considered it a real victory.

Ron Usher Ron Usher is a walking law encyclopedia! He is brilliant, too!

The MA-ALS Program provided a strong theoretical background for the law, but nothing could replace the on-the-ground training of doing the legal work itself. Life is a fast teacher!

Theoretical education is fundamental, as is building connections with clients and community. Although mastering course content is part of being a great Notary, serving clients and becoming a trusted member in your community cannot be taught from a textbook— no matter how great the teacher! s Franca Muraca is a BC Notary in Kamloops.