The mission of the Call Me MISTER^® (acronym for Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) Initiative is to increase the pool of available teachers from a broader more diverse background particularly among the State's lowest performing elementary schools. Student participants are largely selected from among underserved, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities.

The Call Me MISTER^® program is contributing to the talent pool of excellent teachers by identifying and supporting students like Mr. Mark Joseph who are literally "touching the future" by teaching children. Mark's teaching degree was made possible through the Call Me MISTER^® program.

The project provides:

• Tuition assistance through Loan Forgiveness programs for admitted students pursuing approved programs of study in teacher education at participating colleges.
• An academic support system to help assure their success.
• A cohort system for social and cultural support.
• Assistance with job placement.

Call Me MISTER^® was developed by some of our State’s visionary educational leaders who sincerely believe we can build a better tomorrow by getting you involved today.

Become A MISTER

Procedures for admission to the Call Me MISTER^® program must be completed in the following order:

1. Apply for and be accepted into one of the participating colleges or universities from which the degree and teaching certificate will be earned.
2. Complete the Call Me MISTER^® online referral application.
3. Submit the following items:
   • High School diploma and final transcript or General Education Development (GED) certificate.
   • Two letters of recommendation:
     • One (1) from a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal at the high school form which the diploma is earned.
     • One (1) from a person of the student's choice who can express the student's involvement in the community and/or potential for entering the teaching profession.
   • An essay entitled, "Why I Want to Teach," which will address the student's motivation for entering the teaching profession and the contributions he hopes to make to the profession and to the community as a teacher.
   • An essay entitled "How do you believe the Call Me MISTER^® program will benefit you as a student?"
   • A signed statement certifying that student is from an underserved, underprivileged or economically disadvantaged background or area.

Following the submission of the items above, an interview will be scheduled with the prospective program participants to ascertain their potential for teaching and their motivations for participation in the program, as well as to provide an opportunity for clarification of any information submitted through the application process.

APPLY NOW

Research and Evaluation

The Call Me MISTER^® program collaborates with the Clemson University Office of Inclusion and Equity's Charles H. Houston Center to pursue its research and evaluation goals. In this regard, the Charles H. Houston Center is responsible for designing and implementing the research and evaluation plan for the Call Me MISTER^® program. The purpose of the research and evaluation program is to assess the development and impact of preservice and inservice Call Me MISTER^® teachers, as well as study the development and effectiveness of preservice and inservice underrepresented male teachers.

Research and Evaluation Objectives

• Describe the mission, history, learning objectives, and goals of the Call Me MISTER^®program
• Examine the impact of the Call Me MISTER^® program on students’ educational outcomes, preservice teacher development, and leadership development in college
• Investigate teachers’ beliefs, effectiveness, and teaching practices
• Explore the influences of pre-college characteristics and college experiences on the development and effectiveness of preservice and inservice underrepresented male teachers

Call Me MISTER® Resources