The Call Me MiSTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role models) program was founded originally at Clemson University in 2000. The program strives to increase the pool of available teachers from a more diverse background, particularly among the State's lowest performing elementary schools. Student participants are largely selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities. Call Me MiSTER serves students at 18 participating colleges within South Carolina and 8 national partner institutions, including Georgia College!
Overview
Mission
Undergraduate MiSTERs are strongly preferred to major in early childhood, special education, or middle grades education. However, applicants may choose alternate pathways towards attaining a teaching certification, such as math with a teaching concentration. Graduate students are encouraged to apply and are considered on a case-by-case basis as well.
Program participants will complete a bachelor’s degree in one of the College of Education’s field-based cohort programs.
Benefits
Call Me MiSTER students will benefit from:
Financial assistance through tuition assistance, stipends for books/meals/housing and/or loan forgiveness
An academic support system to help assure their success
A cohort model for social and cultural support within the College of Education and through activities specific to Call Me MiSTER
Mentorship through Team MiSTER and African-American Male Initiative Programs
Immediate exposure to a classroom environment during their freshman year
Support and preparation for the GACE Program Admission Assessment
Assistance with job placement
Vision Statement
Students within the Call Me MiSTER program are guided by the following 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!
Director's Message
Welcome to the Georgia College and State University Call Me MiSTER program website. I am Dr. Melvin S. Middleton Jr., program director. Having spent the majority of my professional and adult life in the state of Florida, I have earned degrees in education from Florida A&M University (B.S.), Nova Southeastern University (M.S.), and Florida State University (Ed.D.). Currently in my third decade as an educator, I have supported and facilitated student leaning as a higher education administrator, teacher education instructor, k12 teacher, assistant principal, and principal. I have also led federal and state programs such as TRIO/Talent Search and G.E.A.R.U.P. (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) that seek to increase the number of low-income/first generation who graduate high school and move on to be successful in college . It is my hope that these experiences will serve me well as I build on the work of my predecessor, Dr. C. Emmanuel Little.
The sobering fact that Black males make up only two percent of this country’s teaching population means that we as a country have work to do. Call Me MiSTER has been intentional about diversifying the teaching population, by providing resources to help MiSTERs move from the role of college student to classroom teacher and beyond.
Whether you’re a future MiSTER, parent, potential donor or perhaps just curious to learn more, I’m happy that you’re exploring our website. Thanks for your interest in our Call Me MiSTER program and don’t hesitate to contact my office to learn more.
Melvin S. Middleton Jr. Ed.D.
Director, Call Me MiSTER & MALE Connection
Application Process
In order to be accepted into the Call Me MiSTER program, students must first apply to be accepted into Georgia College. Once accepted into GC, students are strongly encouraged to submit the following materials for Call Me MISTER by April 15th of their intended year of enrollment.
Why do you want to teach and how will you be a benefit to the profession?
How will you be an asset to our program?
How do you envision yourself, and how will you make a difference in the lives of others as an educator?
What do you foresee as the biggest challenge for you as a (future) teacher and how will you embrace these challenges?
Two letters of recommendation from an educator, counselor, community leader or principal that express the student’s motivation for entering the teaching profession and ability to make an a positive impact through education
Resume including extracurricular activities and accomplishments
Following the submission of the items above, an interview will be scheduled with 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.
Requirements
Once accepted into the Call Me MiSTER program, students are expected to adhere to the following expectations.
MiSTERS are strongly preferred to major in either Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or Middle Grades Education. However, applicants who are choosing alternate pathways toward teaching, such as Music Education, Math with a Teaching Concentration, etc. are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Graduate students pursuing teaching careers through our College of Education are encouraged to apply as well.
Maintain a 3.00 GPA
Maintain full-time enrollment at Georgia College
Attend all Call Me MiSTER-related activities and meet regularly with the Director to discuss progress
Maintain frequent interaction/involvement with their respective College of Education cohorts and fulfill all associated requirements
While not required, MiSTERs are strongly encouraged to reside in the on-campus residence halls
Each MiSTER is expected to complete his program of study, obtain a teacher certification and assume a teaching position in a Georgia public school. The MiSTER will teach at least one year for each year he receives financial support from the Call Me MISTER program.
Media Spotlight and Newsletters
Our Call Me MiSTER program has been featured in various publications since its inception in Summer 2014. Check them out below!
In an effort to build a larger pipeline for greater teacher diversity, our Call Me MiSTER program established the Rising MiSTER Academy in summer 2015. This annual initiative is a week-long experience where participants live in the residence halls, eat meals in the university dining hall, meet current MiSTERs and get valuable information about careers in the classroom. Students also meet various leaders in education from the area! The Rising MiSTER Academy is completely free and open to any high school male interested in becoming a teacher. All applicants must include the following:
500-word essay about student’s desire to become a teacher
Materials can be mailed to the Program Director at the address below:
Dr. Emmanuel Little
Georgia College Call Me MiSTER program
College of Education Kilpatrick Center CBX 070
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Policy
It is the policy of Call Me MiSTER 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.
Make a Gift
When you give to Call Me MiSTER, you're contributing to the future. Making a gift to Call Me MISTER via our Georgia College & State University Foundation is easy, and there are several ways of giving from which to choose.
Online
You can contribute to Call Me MiSTER online with your credit or debit card using our secure online giving webpage. Under the “Designation” field, select “Other.” Then, type “Call Me MiSTER” in the “Other” field. Then, fill out the necessary information.
Telephone
You can make a gift by telephone using your American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover card by calling 478-445-5400 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Make sure you verbally tell the representative that you wish for your gift to be restricted to Call Me MiSTER.
Mail
Personal or business checks may be written to the Georgia College & State University Foundation and mailed to:
Office of University Advancement
Campus Box 96
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Please be sure to indicate that the donation is for the Georgia College Call Me MiSTER program.
