After Discovering Learning Disability at Piedmont, Schuerman Pursues Dream of Becoming an Art Teacher
Carmen Schuerman was always a good student despite a lifelong struggle with numbers and mathematics. It wasn’t until she returned to college in her 60s that she discovered her difficulty had been due to a learning disability. At Piedmont University, she learned its name: dyscalculia.
People who have dyscalculia struggle with numbers similarly to how those who are dyslexic do with reading. Schuerman, as with most people, didn’t know about the learning disorder because it has not been research as thoroughly as dyslexia. The more she learned, the more Schuerman believed she had dyscalculia. Test results confirmed her hunch and after feeling invisible for so long, she felt validated.
Then Schuerman found out that she may also be gifted, which would make her a “twice-exceptional learner,” according to Education Professor Dr. Angela Brown. Schuerman was a student in Brown’s in Gifted Endorsement course.
“In that class, we examine characteristics of giftedness as reported by the literature. As we studied the characteristics, we noted that Carmen exhibited quite a few of them,” Dr. Brown aid. “This could be an indication of her being gifted.”
“In our readings, we noted that many of those potentially twice-exceptional learners might not be identified officially as gifted because the focus is on their other exceptionality or that exceptionality sometimes masks or outshines the gifted characteristics,” Brown said. “This may have been the case with Carmen. We don't have concrete proof of that, but her experiences suggest this.”
Schuerman used art to overcome her difficulties with math. She has dreamed of being an art teacher her whole life. She previously achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from Georgia State University and went on to have a successful career as a graphic designer. She also got to teach some as a corporate trainer for a major telecommunications company.
It was not what Schuerman had hoped to do with her life. She came to Piedmont with her sights set on realizing her dream of becoming an art teacher. She graduated in December with a Master of Arts in Art Education degree, so her dream is now within reach. She is substituting as an art teacher and hoping to land a permanent position.
“I think most of Carmen's success was due to her belief that she could do it, said Education Professor Dr. Kelly Land. “She was incredibly positive and persistent. She really took to heart the idea that learning is a process, and that mistakes and obstacles are part of that process. Carmen would dive into the content we were covering and then she would apply the learning strategies to herself. It was amazing to see her grow as a student and a teacher.”
Dr. Jackie Ellett, Associate Professor of Art Education, said Schuerman never let anything get in the way of fulfilling her dream of attaining the art education degree to become a teacher.
“Her determination and perseverance were unwavering despite the challenges she faced with her disabilities and health setbacks. She remained steadfast in her commitment to achieving her goals,” Ellett said. “Carmen is a delight and very kind. She is considerate and would do anything to help others; she has the heart of a teacher. Her story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. Her journey is a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in oneself, anything is possible.”
“Because of my dyscalculia, I didn’t think I could ever become a teacher,” Schuerman said. “I want to help other people who have the kind of barriers I had. I want to help them use art as a vehicle to learn and get through whatever they’re going through. I will tell them that they are being their own limitation. It might take time, and it might be a struggle, but if you have the passion to overcome your obstacles, you will be successful.”
For more information about Piedmont’s programs in education, visit piedmont.edu/education.
