Call Me MiSTER

Academics / School of Education / Call Me MiSTER

Call Me MiSTER® Overview

Call Me MiSTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) is a highly regarded program designed to strengthen the teacher workforce by increasing the number of well-prepared, diverse educators. The initiative responds to the documented shortage of teachers in South Carolina, particularly in the state’s lowest-performing public schools.

The program develops Servant Leaders in elementary, early childhood, special, physical, and music education—aligning with Southern Wesleyan University’s School of Education dispositions of a Christian ethic of care toward:

  • Self
  • Learners
  • Colleagues
  • Community

Program Benefits

  • Scholarships
    • Freshman & Sophomore: $5,000 toward tuition/fees
    • Upon passing Praxis: $10,000 toward tuition/fees
  • Loan forgiveness for eligible teacher education majors
  • Academic support to promote student success
  • Cohort-based model for social and cultural support

Call Me MiSTER® Vision Statement

I am a dedicated Servant Leader perpetuating 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, 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 one’s 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.

Call Me MiSTER® Mission Statement

The mission of the Call Me MISTER (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 under-served, 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 who are literally touching the future by teaching children.

Guiding Core Principles

Participants commit to:

  • Practicing and promoting Servant Leadership
  • Pursuing full professional and personal development
  • Encouraging excellence among all students
  • Becoming skilled, caring teachers who serve as community role models
  • Demonstrating strong character, responsibility, and service
  • Engaging in outreach and service opportunities

Admission Procedures

Applicants must first be accepted into Southern Wesleyan University and submit:

  • High school diploma and transcript or GED
  • Two recommendation letters:
    • One from a teacher, counselor, or principal
    • One from a community member who can speak to character or teaching potential
  • Essay: Why I Want to Teach
  • Essay: How Will the Call Me MiSTER Program Benefit You?
  • Signed statement confirming an underserved or economically disadvantaged background
  • Call Me MiSTER application
  • Interview with the cohort

Program Guidelines and Requirements

Call Me MiSTER accepts majors in:

  • Elementary Education
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Music Education
  • Physical Education
  • Special Education

Participants agree to teach one year in a South Carolina public school for each year of financial support received.

Student Expectations

  • Maintain full-time enrollment
  • Maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA
  • Make satisfactory progress toward admission to Teacher Education and graduation
  • Participate in required meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, and service-learning activities
  • Maintain weekly communication with the Site Coordinator
  • Complete field experiences with assigned mentor teachers
  • Seek advisement before dropping any course
  • Demonstrate professionalism and positive role modeling

Failure to meet expectations may result in probation, loss of funding, or dismissal.

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Academics

  1. Major in an approved education field
  2. Maintain at least a 2.75 GPA
  3. Enroll in 15 credit hours each semester
  4. Follow University attendance policies
  5. Consult the Project Coordinator before dropping classes
  6. Take Praxis Core by end of first program year
  7. Gain admission to Teacher Education by second-semester sophomore year

Project Commitment

  1. Teach in a South Carolina public school (year of support)
  2. Model professionalism and positive leadership
  3. Ensure outside employment does not hinder academic/project obligations
  4. Attend all required meetings and activities
  5. Follow University and Call Me MiSTER grievance policies
  6. Develop and follow an action plan with the Site Coordinator
  7. Attend all scheduled group and individual meetings

*Retention in the Call Me MiSTER Project is dependent upon both personal performance, consistent participation in scheduled project activities and initiatives, and satisfactory progression toward fulfilling the overall expectations, goals and mission of the program.

Consequences

In the event that a Call Me MiSTER Scholar does not meet these requirements, the following actions may be taken:

  • Semester probation
  • Required academic or professional development plans
  • Loss of financial assistance
  • Removal from the program

Contact Us

Southern Wesleyan University
School of Education
716 Wesleyan Drive
Central SC 29630
Phone (864) 644-5360
Fax (864) 644-5974