This program is diversifying South Carolina's pool of teachers

Did you know? African American men represent less than 2% of teachers nationwide, according to Charleston Southern University (CSU) .

To help address this gap, CSU’s Call Me Mister program is recruiting more minority male educators to teach in the Palmetto State.

Meet a future teacher

Damontae Cummings is a current CSU College of Education student and a Call Me Mister member.

“When I applied, I met Dr. Jimmy Freeman (the program’s former site coordinator), who introduced me to the Leadership Institute. This event brought together cohorts to understand what it truly means to be a MISTER. This motivated me to work hard to become the best mentor I can be,” he said.

“This experience has been revolutionary. It taught me how to be a servant leader for future generations, and how to thrive in a female-dominated career. It’s helped me be the best version of myself, share my story, advocate for others my age, and be an inspiration to older and younger generations.”

One of Damontae’s standout memories is the time he spent bonding with other cohorts on a retreat to Asheville, NC. They explored a record shop, visited a science museum, and went white water rafting.

How to get in

Call Me Mister prioritizes admitting students from underserved + socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who may face challenges entering education careers. The program accepts students majoring in elementary, early childhood, music, physical education, middle school, special education, and secondary education.

Participants must also commit to teaching in a South Carolina public school for each year they receive funding after graduating.

Financial benefits

Despite the program’s competitiveness, it pays off — here’s a breakdown of the scholarships + stipends it awards to help with college costs per semester:

• $10,000 for Praxis Core completion
• $5,000 for Non-Praxis Core completion

Bonus: Call Me Mister can help get student loans forgiven.

Learn more + apply