“Teamwork makes the dream work!”

A Teacher-Leadership Program

Program Application

SC State University

What is Call Me MiSTER?

SC State University is leading the way in

recruiting more African American male teachers for South Carolina classrooms through its Call Me MiSTER program. Launched in year 2000, the program is designed to provide a pipeline of highly effective African-American male educators to South Carolina’s public schools that will serve their communities as mentors & role models. Less than two percent of public school teachers in the U.S. are African-American men and less than one percent of South Carolina’s public elementary school teachers are African- American men. Through Call Me MiSTER, this narrative has already begun to change. Since 2004, over 250 MiSTERs have graduated, fully certified & entered the classroom resulting in a 90% increase of Black male elementary teachers in South Carolina!

Guidelines and Requirements for Participation

The program is HIGHLY competitive and provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships towards tuition & fees and a stipend each semester.

Pre-Praxis Core Completion (MiSTERs that have NOT passed Praxis Core)

Financial assistance of $5,000 each academic year Praxis Core Completion (MiSTERs that HAVE passed Praxis Core)

Financial assistance of $10,000 each academic year

It is important to note that these amounts are subject to change. MiSTERs are expected to teach in a public school in South Carolina for EACH year they receive

funding after they graduate!

1. Be accepted for enrollment at South Carolina State University.

2. Plan to reside in the designated Living & Learning Community (LLC) dormitory along with the other MiSTERs in the cohort for the entire duration of their academic matriculation. Currently this is Hugine Suites for upperclassmen MiSTERs & Battiste Hall for freshmen MiSTERs.

3. Major in elementary, early childhood, middle level, special education, art education, or music education. Physical education is not an eligible major at this time.

4. Complete the pre-application form found at www.callmemister.clemson.edu AND submit an fully completed application found below. Applications and supporting documents should be received by April 15th of each year. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Presently, about three students are added to the program each year, which means that the program is highly competitive.

5. *Participate in an interview (in person only).

Please note that applicants who take and pass all 3 parts of Praxis Core (Pre-Professional Skills

Assessment of Reading, Writing, & Math) prior to the selection deadline will be given high priority. For

information about this test, log on to www.ets.org/praxis. Praxis Core is a requirement for all education

majors in the state of South Carolina.

*Once accepted into Call Me MiSTER, participants must make continued satisfactory progress towards becoming accepted into teacher education and ultimately, meet all necessary

requirements for certification and graduation. Students who fail to make adequate progress in the matriculation process and /or program participation may be dropped from the program.

*Participate in weekly or bi-weekly seminars, as well as, conferences, summits, institutes, workshops and other activities sponsored by the CMM program. *Participate in field experiences under a mentor teacher at an elementary or middle school, service learning activities, special programs and/or projects throughout the school year. *Complete various assignments made by the CMM Program Director. * Once your teaching obligation with Call Me MiSTER has been completed, your funds provided by CMM will be forgiven. If you break the contract, change your major, fail to complete the teacher certification program, or decide not to teach in the state of South Carolina, you will be required to pay back the funds to Call Me MiSTER.

To participate in the program, the following requirements must be met:

Procedures for admission to the Call Me MiSTER Program must be completed in the following order:

1. Apply for and/or be accepted to enroll at South Carolina State University.

2. Complete the pre-application form at www.callmemister.clemson.edu. 3. Submit the following items: A. SAT and/or ACT score(s), and final transcript (submit upon graduation) B. Two letters of recommendation:

a. One (1) from a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal at the high school from

which the diploma was earned.

b. One (1) from a person of your choice who can express the student’s involvement in

the community and/or potential for becoming an effective teacher.

C. Two essays: one 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 the community as a teacher, and a second essay entitled, “How do

I believe the Call Me MiSTER program will benefit me as a student?”

(Each essay should be at least 1 page in length)

D. A SC State University CMM application submitted to the Cohort Director (last page of this

packet)

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

Call Me MiSTER Application

Priority Deadline for submission is April 15 Please complete this form and fax it with your essays and other materials to:

Dr. Rashad Anderson (rander29@scsu.edu), SCSU Call Me MiSTER Campus Director Fax: 803-516-4828

Personal Information

Name (full name):____________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Numbers: Cell:_________________________________________________ Home:_______________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City:________________________________________________________________ State:_____________________________________________

College ID 900# (If known):________________________________________________________________________________________

Date of Birth: ________________________________________________ Place of Birth: ________________________________________

Email________________________________________________________________

Intended Major at SC State University:______________________________________

Educational Achievement

High School Name & City: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

SAT Score: Verbal___________ Math________________ Date Taken:______________

ACT Score: __________ Date Taken:______________

Graduation/GED Date:___________________________________ High School GPA:____________

# of College Credits Completed_________________ College Classification:_____________________

List any honors, awards, or special achievements received while in high school/college (Including extracurricular activities of school, church and community):

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Send the application, both essays, official transcript, and two letters of recommendation to:

Dr. Rashad Anderson, SCSU CMM Collaborator By email at rander29@scsu.edu

Or by Fax: 803-516-4828 Note: The above Guidelines for participating in the Call Me MiSTER Program are subject to change.