Mischa Pearson: A Digital Nomad’s Journey Through Art, Dyscalculia, and Education

an interview by Annie Shan in 2024

Mischa Pearson, a digital nomad and creative powerhouse, has built a life that blends art, education, and advocacy. From teaching in Thai temples to creating a children’s book about dyscalculia, her journey reflects a deep commitment to inclusivity and creativity. In this interview, Mischa shares her experiences, insights, and vision for a more compassionate and innovative approach to education.

Annie Shan: Where do you live, and what do you do for a living and for fun?

Mischa Pearson: Right now, I’m back in England, but I don’t usually live in one place—I’m what’s called a digital nomad. Since February, I’ve been here to support my son, who started college early at 16. Before this, I spent time in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia in Southeast Asia, as well as Rwanda in Africa and the Balkans in Europe. I even wrote my book in Croatia and illustrated it in Southeast Asia.

For a living, I say I write, paint, and illustrate—but that’s just the start. I’m an author now, but I also blog, write poetry, and do journalism. I had a poetry page on Instagram, but I got locked out! I also paint people, pets, and landscapes from all over the world. For me, life and work blend together; I’m lucky to do what I love. It took time to build up a reputation, get clients, and make a living from it, but now I’m able to create, which is what I’m really passionate about.

For fun? I love sailing, reading, walking my dog, and spending time with my son. Painting and reading are also huge parts of my work, but I’d do them even if they weren’t.

Annie Shan: What drew you to Southeast Asia?

Mischa Pearson: I love Southeast Asia—the culture, the warmth, the hospitality. I volunteered while I was there, living in a temple in Thailand, teaching orphans to read and write in English. I taught through games, and it was exhausting but rewarding. By the end of my stay, I had 66 students in my class, and each lesson lasted two hours. The experience made me respect teachers so much more.

Cambodia wasn’t a good fit for me, so I returned to Thailand. I also spent a few months in Vietnam, where I loved drinking egg coffee by the train tracks in Hanoi—where the train rushes past, and everyone cheers. It was thrilling!

Annie Shan: I’d love to hear more about how you met Ms. Newman and her influence on your work!

Mischa Pearson: I came across Renee’s work and sent her an email about my idea for a character—an accountant who can’t quite count. We immediately hit it off. Renee has such energetic, encouraging wisdom, and she’s a light in a dark place. Writing a book is a solitary journey, but having someone like her who “gets” what you’re doing is invaluable. Her support kept me going on days when it was hard, and I’ll always be grateful for her belief in my work.

Annie Shan: Can you tell us about your experiences with dyscalculia?

Mischa Pearson: Living with what I call an “allergy to numbers” is like constantly trying to hear something but never quite catching it. Even with a diary, reminders, or alarms, I still miss things. For instance, if you hadn’t sent me a reminder email today, I probably would have missed this meeting! Appointment times just don’t stick in my brain.

I’ve missed countless trains, buses, and even meetings. My son helps me sometimes—he’s great with numbers and remembers my PIN code better than I do! I think I’m 37, but I’m not entirely sure.

School was especially hard because the system doesn’t accommodate learning differences. It’s why my book starts with, “Behind the tall walls of Edgar’s Elementary, where teachers taught subjects by endlessly testing…” School systems label you if you don’t excel, and back in my day, empathy was lacking. Kids with learning differences were seen as lazy or stupid. I don’t see dyscalculia as a disability—it’s just different. But back then, there was no understanding.

Annie Shan: Do you think awareness of dyscalculia has improved?

Mischa Pearson: Awareness is slowly improving, but it’s still limited. Most people I meet haven’t heard of dyscalculia. Even those who have often pronounced it wrong, calling it “dyscalculus.” I created an audio read-along with my book to help kids and adults learn how to pronounce it correctly.

The hope lies in the increasing recognition of dyslexia. Dyscalculia could follow a similar path, but there’s a long way to go. I still see people in dyscalculia support groups being told they need to pass math for careers that don’t require it. This stops brilliant minds from entering fields they’d excel in—like psychology. Why should someone need advanced math to study psychology?

Annie Shan: You’ve shared so many thoughts on education. What changes would you like to see?

Mischa Pearson: Education should be about opening doors, not creating walls. Standardized tests are a barrier that holds students back, especially those with learning differences. We should have a more inclusive understanding of neurology and diversity in learning. Some kids thrive in traditional schools, but many don’t.

Sir Ken Robinson’s TED Talk on how schools kill creativity resonated with me deeply. His work was one reason I chose to home-school my son. He’s fluent in Croatian now and picks up languages quickly—skills he might not have developed in a rigid school setting.

The current system values qualifications over children’s well-being. That’s a shame. Schools should nurture students’ potential, not make them feel inferior.

Annie Shan: I imagine that mindset has influenced how you raise your son. What’s your approach to his education?

Mischa Pearson: I approach his education with a lot of flexibility. I want him to have experiences that go beyond the traditional classroom, which is part of why we traveled so much. I wanted him to see different cultures, understand diverse perspectives, and learn things that can’t be taught through books. Now that he’s at Cambridge Regional College, I’m here to support him, but I also trust him to make his own decisions and learn from them.

Annie Shan: Thank you for sharing all this, Mischa. Your insights are truly eye-opening.

Mischa Pearson: Thank you for having me! It’s been wonderful discussing all these topics.