By teaching genres that center students’ experiences, knowledge, and ways of communicating outside the classroom, I demonstrate to students that every person in the classroom has value.
Lia Schuermann English Lecturer
- Faculty
Lia Schuermann is a mixed Chicana who grew up in Corpus Christi in south Texas. This inspired her current research study, which involved oral history interviews with mixed Chicanas (female Mexican-Americans) to eventually create a digital public archive. As a college student with multiple marginalized identities, Schuermann is aware of the obstacles that students face in traditional academic spaces, which can be isolating and intimidating. In her classrooms, Schuermann wants to create equitable and collaborative environments where students are valued and heard and that focus on alternative writing spaces and multimodality.
A Conversation with Lia
What advice would you give a prospective or current student about making the most of their college experience?
My advice to prospective or current students is to make deliberate choices about your learning and to advocate for yourself. If you're required to take a class, think about what you can learn and what skills you can strengthen from participating in that class. How can the class help you reach your goals? Instead of figuring out what you need to do to get the grade you want, figuring out how you can use the class to help you will be much more useful in your college/career journey. If you are facing a difficult situation, ask for what you need, whether it’s from your advisor, professor, or someone else. No one can help you if you don't ask.
What is your teaching philosophy and how does it shape how you approach your classes?
Collaboration, community and alternative writing spaces are three tenets behind my teaching philosophy. Alternative writing spaces create new experiences for students to focus on their and others' stories, write collaboratively with their peers, and share their lived experiences and embodied perspectives. In my small group and class discussions, students present each of their perceptions of genre examples and key concepts, such as embodiment and positionality, to understand that there isn't a universal definition or story. By teaching genres that center students’ experiences, knowledge, and ways of communicating outside the classroom, I demonstrate to students that every person in the classroom has value. Even students who are unfamiliar with storytelling initially came to recognize our classroom space to be one where creativity “isn't shameful” and where they can learn how to write on “topics that aren't inherently taught or discussed in classrooms,” as one student reflects. As part of creating alternative spaces, I also teach my class with a labor-based contract grading system. As a result, students write that they feel they have more agency over their grades and feel less stress about their grades, allowing them to self-actualize themselves as writers with deserving voices, particularly with my thoughtfully designed writing assignments.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I think my students are usually surprised to hear that I enjoy retro and indie video games. Digital games are such an engaging and enjoyable experience for me. I like to play games that have strong story writing that aligns meaningfully with gameplay design. For example, I did my master's research project on digital game trauma narratives, exploring positive coping mechanisms. They're also a great way to connect with others and explore alternative writing genres like digital game design documents. Personally, my retro favorites are JRPGs like Final Fantasy, and my current favorites are wholesome games like Later Alligator and Kind Words.
Education
- M.A., English, Texas Woman’s University, 2021
- B.A., English-Literature and Language, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 2015
Experience
- Lecturer, East Texas A&M University, 2024-present
- Graduate Teaching Assistant, Texas Woman’s University, 2020-2024
Teaching Areas
- The Writing Program, Department of Literature and Languages
Featured Courses
- ENG 100: Introduction to College Reading and Writing
- ENG 1301: College Reading and Writing
- ENG 1302: Written Argument/Research
Research Areas
- Multimodal, cultural storytelling spaces
- Digital game design
- Alternative writing genres
Awards
- 2024, First Place in Texas Woman’s University Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Research Communication Competition
- 2024, Recipient of the J.Dean Bishop Excellence in Teaching Award
- 2024, Recipient of the Lunsford Travel Grant from the Andrea Lunsford Diversity Fund
Professional Associations
- Rhetoric Society of America
- College English Association
- National Council of Teachers of English
- Writing Program Administration-Graduate Organization
- The Coalition of Feminist Scholars in the History of Rhetoric and Composition
- Popular/American Culture Association
Recent Publications
- “Teaching Composition through Digital Game Design.” Pedagogy: Using television shows, games, and other media in the Classroom, edited by Laura Dumin, Vernon Press, 2024, pp. 101-115.
- “Embodying GTA Struggles and Empowerment as Designers of the Classroom.” Collaborated with Dr. Desireé Thorpe. Xchanges, 19.2, Spring 2024. Accepted.