Call Me Mister

Logo

A CSU student smiles, wearing a black t-shirt with the Call Me Mister Student logo. He has glasses on top of his head and a mask pulled below his mouth. The Call Me MISTER program (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) is a teacher recruitment and preparation initiative focused on addressing the teacher shortage through broad, inclusive, and merit-based access to educator pathways.

Its mission is to expand the pool of qualified teachers by recruiting, mentoring, and preparing candidates from diverse life experiences and communities to serve in high-need schools, in alignment with equal opportunity and nondiscrimination principles.

A participant in the Call Me Mister program sits on a bench and smiles. He's wearing a black t-shirt with the Call Me Mister logo.

The Call Me MISTER program supports participants with:

Four-year tuition assistance for admitted students pursuing teaching careers
Academic and social emotional support systems to help assure their success
Assigned Mentorship
A cohort system for social and cultural support
Monthly activities with a focus on the educational profession
Participation in innovative research experiences
Job placement support

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Who can apply?

All applicants will be considered with a preference given to students entering their freshman year at Chicago State University. To apply to the Call Me MiSTER program, a student must enroll as a teacher education major in one of the following programs: - Early Childhood Education - Elementary Education - Middle Grades Education - Physical Education - Special Education

Three participants in the Call Me MISTER program, stand side by side in front of a brick wall. They're each wearing masks and Call Me MISTER t-shirts.

Criteria for all applicants includes:

Offer of admission from CSU Admissions

Two written essays

Why I want to be a teacher
How can I give back to my community

One interview

Two letters of recommendation

from a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal at the high school form which the diploma is earned.
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.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid on File at CSU

High School Diploma

High School GPA of 2.5 or better