Meet your Facilitator
Amanda R. Smith is a nationally certified interpreter, educator, and coach dedicated to advancing the field of interpreting and interpreter education. With a master’s in Interpreter Pedagogy and nearly two decades of teaching at Western Oregon University, she has shaped future interpreters and educators with insight, rigor, and compassion. Amanda draws from professional experience, creative practices, and somatic coaching to foster reflective, ethical, and effective interpreting. Through A.R. Smith Studios, she supports interpreter educators, coaches and mentors in refining their craft and cultivating professional presence. Amanda’s work bridges teaching, interpreting, and personal growth, inviting transformation grounded in presence, purpose, and community connection.
Saturday, February 14 | Live, Interactive Online
Walk into court prepared—not guessing.
Voir dire is one of the most information-rich moments in a trial, yet many interpreters leave it underused. This Saturday Skills Intensive offers a practical, ethical framework for using voir dire as an in-the-moment preparation tool—before testimony begins.
Rather than reacting once proceedings are underway, you’ll learn how to identify and analyze information revealed during jury selection, including charges, witness lists, and attorney questioning, to anticipate interpreting demands and ethical considerations.
What this Intensive offers
This is not a lecture. It is an interactive, escape-room–style experience where participants work in teams to “escape” the voir dire process with the information needed to prepare responsibly for the upcoming trial.
Together, we will:
- Identify what matters in voir dire for interpreters
- Anticipate linguistic, interpersonal, and environmental demands
- Connect preparation choices to ethical responsibilities
- Practice applying the RID Code of Professional Conduct in real-time scenarios
Why this matters
Accuracy and completeness do not begin with the first witness.
They begin with preparation.
Ethical preparation allows interpreters to recognize potential impediments early and respond appropriately—rather than discovering them once the trial is underway.
Who this is for
This Intensive is designed for legal interpreters who want to:
- Feel more grounded before proceedings begin
- Prepare intentionally, not reactively
- Strengthen ethical decision-making
- Build repeatable preparation practices
Workshop details
- Format: Live, interactive online session
- Length: 2 hours
- CEUs: 0.2 RID Legal CEUs approved and Oregon court interpreters will be awarded two ethics credits for completing the workshop.
- Structure: Collaborative, scenario-based learning
Your invitation
If you are ready to move beyond guesswork and toward ethical, informed preparation, you are warmly invited to join this Saturday Skills Intensive.
Because preparation is not optional—it is an ethical act.
FAQs
Will there be CEUs?
- YES!
- CEUs are pending, but will be available through RID.
What is the language of the sessions?
- This training will be conducted in the language most readily available and shared by the group at large. Interpreters will be provided if there is not a common language shared among the participants.
What if I have other questions?
- email me at arsmithstudios@gmail.com, I’ll keep adding to this section for others!
the fine print
* Participants must attend all sessions in full and complete required activities to be eligible for CEUs.
* Certificates of completion and CEU processing will be provided within 30 days of the final session.
* Cancellations made at least 10 days before the first session will receive a full refund. No refunds after that date.
* Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact arsmithstudios@gmail.com at least 2 weeks in advance. *ARSmith Studios, LLC promotes a learning and growing environment that is characterized by mutual respect, curiosity, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any legally protected status.
A. R. Smith Studios 