Call Me MiSTER
Mentoring future teachers and role models
The mission of the Call Me MiSTER mentoring program at SCC is to increase the pool of available teachers from broader,
more diverse backgrounds, particularly among South Carolina's lowest performing elementary
schools.
The term MiSTER is an acronym for Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models. Its main goals are mentoring minority students to become effective leaders,
and then become mentors themselves to their students and increasing diversity in the
classroom.
Call Me MiSTER was founded in 2000 at Clemson University (view details on Clemson Call Me MiSTER website), combining the special strengths and resources of a research-oriented public university
with the individualized instructional programs offered by four historically Black
colleges in South Carolina: Benedict College, Claflin University, Morris College,
and South Carolina State University.
The project provides for qualified students:
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- An academic support system to help assure their success
- A cohort system for social and cultural support
- Assistance with tuition and/or books
- Assistance with job placement
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We are recruiting potential students for the fall semester and the ideal MiSTER must possess leadership qualities as well as adhere to the following in academia and program requirements:
- Major in elementary, early childhood education or K-12 certification areas
- Maintain a minimum of 2.5 GPA during the first 60 hours
- Be enrolled for at least 16 hours
- Adhere to attendance policies
- Not drop any class without advisement from the site coordinator
- Take the Praxis I exam by the end of freshman year
- Satisfy all requirements for admission to teacher education program by the second semester of Junior year
- Teach one year in an elementary or middle school for each year funds were received from Call Me MISTER
- Conduct self in a manner that exemplifies values of a positive role model and mentor
- Reside in prescribed CMM Living Learning Community for duration of undergraduate matriculation and not engage in outside employment that will impair effectiveness in meeting academic and project requirements
- Appeals must be made directly to campus site coordinators
- Attend all scheduled Call Me MISTER seminars and activities
- Adhere to the grievance policies of the campus where enrolled
- Develop a plan of action with the site coordinator to assist in academic success
Procedures for admission to the Call Me MiSTER® program must be completed in the following order:
- Apply for and be accepted into Spartanburg Community College.
- Complete the Call Me MiSTER® online application.
- Submit the following items:
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- 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?"
- 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.
This application will be sent to Call Me MiSTER Site Coordinator Frederick Keenan at SCC. Please send your letters and essays to Keenan by email or through US mail:
Spartanburg Community College
Attn: Frederick Keenan
PO Box 4386, Spartanburg, SC 29305
Please see our policies regarding discrimination, laws and regulations.