Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models was founded at Clemson University in 2000 to address the critical shortage of minority male teachers in America’s classrooms. The mission of the program is to increase the pool of available teachers from a broader more diverse background, particularly among the lowest performing elementary schools. Student participants are largely selected from underserved, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and educationally at-risk communities. Northwestern State University has a rich legacy of teacher preparation and is proud to partner with Clemson University to fulfill this goal.

Prospective Misters must:

• Be a minority male.
• Come from an underserved, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and/or educationally at-risk community
• Major in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Health & Physical Education, or Music Education. Secondary Education majors will also be considered.
• Demonstrate record of high scholastic achievement and participation in extra-curricular and community service activities

Misters will benefit from:

• Financial assistance to help cover tuition and fees
• Instructional support and preparation for licensure exams
• A cohort system for social and cultural support
• Leadership development
• Immediate exposure to a classroom environment
• Job placement assistance after graduation

Misters will be required to:

• Meet all requirements of the NSU teacher education program
• Participate in community service projects
• Attend professional development activities
• Be ambassadors for the MiSTER program

“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!”

Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis each spring for consideration for cohorts that will begin each fall semester. Preference will be given to graduating high school seniors; two-year community college transfers; and first-year college freshmen. Eligible candidates will be selected based upon their potential for teaching and their motivation for participation in the program.

For more information about Call Me MiSTER at NSU, please contact:

Mrs. Brittany Blackwell Broussard
blackwellb@nsula.edu
or 318-357-4355