Objective

Statement of Need

The mission of the Call Me MISTER (acronym for Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) National 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 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.      

Funding

An annual donation will be made by the Foundation. Funds from the annual Fantasy Camp, Foundation fund raising events, and at-large donations will be used. In April, 2013 the foundation donated $20,000 to fund a “co-curriculum” for the Call Me MISTER students. The “co-curriculum” is a series of various leadership and communication skill development workshops and seminars focused on preparing the students to transition to the classroom as real-life teachers. Since 2009 $60,000 has been invested in the Call Me Mister program.

More information on Call Me Mister can be found at www.callmemister.clemson.edu.