Call Me MISTER®

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

Call Me Mister Logo

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

Apply for and be accepted into one of the participating colleges or universities from which the degree and teaching certificate will be earned.
Complete the Call Me MISTER^® online referral application.
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

Call Me MiSTER Staff

Roy I. Jones, Ed.D
Provost Distinguished Professor
Executive Director
royj@clemson.edu Winston Holton
Program Manager/Director of Summer Programs Partnerships
winstoh@clemson.edu

Mark Joseph
Program Coordinator/National Coordinator
mjosep2@clemson.edu
Tanya Reel
Program Coordinator/Business Manager
tmiller@clemson.edu

Daniel Spencer
Clemson Site Coordinator/Director of Community Partnerships
spence5@clemson.edu
Debbie Eller
Administrative Assistant
deller@clemson.edu
Call Me MiSTER Students

MR Caleb Brown
Major: Secondary Social Studies
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Executive Council title: Co-President
Quote: “Bear good fruit wherever your feet are planted.” – Dabo Swinney

MR Micah Brown
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Anderson, SC
Quote: “People don’t want to experience change. They just want to wake up, and it’s different.” – Chadwick Boseman

MR Jakob (JD) Cash
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Quote: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi

MR Tariq Copeland
Major: Special Education
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Quote: “Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” – George Washington Carver

MR Kenneth Cornish Jr.
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Quote: "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." - Anais Nin

MR Caleb Costen
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Tyrone, GA
Quote: "Let your smile change the world; don't let the world change your smile." - Will Smith

MR Roy Dail
Major: Middle Level Math and Science
Hometown: Easley, SC
Quote: "The game is fun. The game is a battle. If it's not fun, why bother? If it's not a battle, where's the fun?" - Reggie Fils-Aime'

MR Winter Dorsey
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Sumter, SC
Quote: “People raised on love will do anything for you. People raised on survival will do anything to you. Know the difference and be aware of what spirit the people around you are operating from.” – Unknown

MR Joshua Harris
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Greer, SC
Quote: "Dedication makes dreams come true." -Kobe Bryant

MR Jaylen Hill
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Sumter, SC
Quote: “Your experience is not THE experience.” – Winston Holton

MR Keeley Holmes
Major: Early Childhood Education
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Quote: “I am thankful for my struggle because, without it, I would not have stumbled upon my strength.” – Alexandra Elle

MR Logan Hunter
Major: Secondary Social Studies
Hometown: Easley, SC
Quote: “Violence solves no social problems; it merely creates new and more complicated ones.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

MR Greg Lawrence
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Summerville, SC
Quote: “My purpose is to be a vessel for God’s Kingdom, using the gift He has blessed me with.” – MR Greg Lawrence

MR Brikell Livingston
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Manning, SC
Quote: “You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness.” – Diane von Furstenberg

MR Taj Mack-Pete
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Executive Council title: Co-President
Quote: “Doubt your doubts…” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

MR Daniel Ocampo-Villagran
Major: Secondary Social Studies
Hometown: Boiling Springs, SC
Quote: “Your experience is not THE experience.” – Winston Holton

MR Tyson Owens
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Williamston, SC
Quote: "If you can make it through the night, there's a brighter day." -Tupac

MR Michael Parrish
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Fort Mill, SC
Quote: "I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." -Michael Jordan

MR Ahmad Pendergrass
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Greenwood, SC
Quote: "Don't let your fears take the place of your dreams." -Walt Disney

MR Arthur Sherrill
Major: Special Education
Hometown: Clemson, SC
Quote: “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” – Oscar Wilde

MR Mason Sowell
Major: Secondary Social Studies
Hometown: Laurens, SC
Quote: “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

MR Brent Staley II
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Sumter, SC
Quote: “Negative thoughts are the nails that build a prison of failure. Positive thoughts will build you a masterpiece.” – Jon Gordon

MR Auriyanna Tinch
Major: Middle Level Science
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Quote: "Pick your Poison."-Mr. Tinch

MR Alex Young
Major: Secondary Social Studies
Hometown: Greenwood, SC
Quote: “Just because something is, doesn’t mean it ought to be.” - Unknown
Student Vision Statement

"I am a dedicated Servant Leader who is perpetuating a sorely needed concept - Servant-Leaders as role models in elementary schools. I am devoted to planting seeds of dignity and respect in children and inspiring them to cultivate those seeds producing a crop of unprecedented success. I will teach reading, writing and arithmetic and progress to self-esteem, imagination and determination. Because of my immeasurable promise, not only have I earned your respect, I demand it! A title is only important if ones' character and integrity dictate its use. When you address me, please verbalize my destiny... please do not call me by my first name... call me in reference to my great vision... call me MISTER!"
Policies

It is the policy of Clemson University that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or in any way be subjected to, discrimination in any program or activity of the University. Participation in the Call Me MISTER^® Program is open to anybody, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, if they are capable of facilitating the achievement of its objectives.

Discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veterans status is prohibited.

Any person having a question regarding laws and regulations, or who feels discriminated against, is encouraged to contact the Office of Access and Equity, 223 Brackett Hall, Clemson University, phone numbers 864-656-3181 (voice) or 864-656-0899 (TDD).
Participating Colleges

The Call Me MISTER^® program combines the special strengths and resources of Clemson University with the individualized instructional programs offered by several colleges and universities in South Carolina. To provide even greater opportunity and access, students have the option of first attending one of our two-year partner colleges before transferring to one of the four-year institutions to complete their baccalaureate degree. In addition, the project has limited enrollment in the middle school Master of Art in Teaching program. Please click on the participating schools on the menu to learn more about these schools' programs.

Participating Colleges Include:

Two Year Colleges:

Aiken Technical College
Greenville Technical College
Horry Georgetown Technical College
Midlands Technical College
Piedmont Technical College

Spartanburg Community College
Tri-County Technical College
Trident Technical College
University of South Carolina Salkehatchie
University of South Carolina Sumter

Four Year Colleges and Universities:

Anderson University
Charleston Southern University
Claflin University
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston
Columbia College
Converse College
Lander University

Limestone University
Morris College
Newberry College
South Carolina State University
Southern Wesleyan University
University of South Carolina Aiken
University of South Carolina Beaufort
University of South Carolina Upstate
Winthrop University
National Partner Schools

COLORADO

Metropolitan State University of Denver

FLORIDA

University of South Florida

GEORGIA

Georgia College & State University

Georgia Southern University

Kennesaw State University

ILLINOIS

Chicago State University

KANSAS

Kansas State University

KENTUCKY

Eastern Kentucky University

LOUISIANA

Grambling State University

McNeese State University

Louisiana State University

NORTH CAROLINA

Western Carolina University

TENNESSEE

University of Tennessee Martin

TEXAS

University of North Texas-Dallas

VIRGINIA

Longwood University

University of Lynchburg
Corporate Partners

7153 Llc
Allstate Foundation
Allstate Insurance Agency Inc.
Allstate Insurance Company
BMW Manufacturing Company, LLC
Boeing Company
Brown Packing Company, Inc.
Cafe Enterprises Inc
Carlo White Agency
Celanese Acetate
Central Carolina Bank & Trust
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Community Foundation of Greater Greenville
Credit Adjustment Bureau Inc.
DBA Allstate Insurance Agency
Duke Energy Foundation
E I Dupont De Nemours
Gannett Foundation
GE Gas Turbines

General Electric Company
Gerod Allison Agency Inc.
Gold Kist Inc.
Howle & Howle Foundation, Inc.
King Associates
Lumina Foundation
Ness Motley Loadholt Richards
North Enoree Association Brotherhood
Oprah's Angel Network
Partners a For Healthy Community
South Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Association of Students
Southtrust Bank
Springs Industries Inc.
The Self Family Foundation
The Sunshine Lady Foundation
United Ins. Co. of America
We Stand For Kids
Wells Fargo
Winky Foundation
Contact Call Me MISTER®

E-mail: MISTER@clemson.edu

Phone: Toll-free: 1-800-640-2657

Mail:
Call Me MISTER^®
202 Holtzendorff
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634