Call Me MISTER at CU Denver
Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role models
The Call Me MISTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role models) program at the University of Colorado Denver, is a teacher leadership initiative that addresses the crucial need for greater diversity in Colorado’s classrooms. It aims to provide guidance and support for men of color who are pursuing a teaching career.
A Nationally Renowned Program That Opens Doors
Launched in the year 2000 in South Carolina at three Historical Black Colleges & Universities (Morris College, Claflin University, & Benedict College) and Clemson University, Call Me MISTER is a prestigious, nationwide program spanning 12 states, boasting more than 40 cohorts and nearly 500 certified MISTERs enriching classrooms, school districts, and universities across America. CU Denver is poised to become the preeminent hub in Colorado for cultivating a new generation of male educators of color.
Call Me MISTER Programming and Supports at CU Denver
Call Me MISTER focuses on providing opportunities for men of color who have a desire to become teachers. Participants must major in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, or a content area major with a concentration in Secondary or K-12 Teacher Licensure at CU Denver. To increase the pool of available teachers from more diverse backgrounds, MISTERs are mostly selected from underserved, socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds in the Denver metro area and across Colorado.
Who is Call Me MISTER for?
The Fall 2024 cohort is seeking men of color who are current or new CU Denver students. Juniors/3rd year students or incoming transfer students are preferred, but all levels of students are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline: Rolling Decision
Questions about the program?
Fill out the information request below or contact us at callmemister@ucdenver.edu
To qualify for Call Me MISTER, students must:
- Be a current CU Denver student or new/transfer student. If you are an incoming student, prospective MISTERs need to apply and be accepted to CU Denver. If you need assistance with your application, please contact callmemister@ucdenver.edu.
- Identify as a man of color from an underserved, underprivileged, or economically disadvantaged background or area.
- Declare a major in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, or a content area major with a concentration in Secondary or K-12 Teacher Licensure.
- Be a Colorado resident for tuition purposes. You are welcome to apply if you are in the petition process to change your residency.
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to CU Denver for the current/upcoming academic year. CU Denver's school code fir the FAFSA is 004508.
Unique benefits of joining CU Denver’s Call Me MISTER program include:
- Full tuition plus a monthly stipend
- Special professional travel opportunities
- Working alongside teams of dedicated university staff/faculty of color and teachers of color, and
- Relevant coursework that focuses on social justice and equity in education.
MISTERs join a top education school according to U.S. News and World Report. The program has a strong emphasis on equity and social justice. MISTERs will engage Colorado's rapidly diversifying student and family population.
MISTERs in the program will:
- Develop a deep understanding of the diverse ways children learn and develop within their families, communities, and schools.
- Gain skills to bring a relevant and engaging curriculum to standards-based teaching as well as skills for effective classroom organization and management.
- Eventually lead classrooms focused on educational excellence and equity for all children from diverse racial, ethnic, language, socioeconomic and ability backgrounds.
Starting in the first-year MISTERs will be placed in a partner school. In the final year, the experience culminates in a full-time teaching residency so that MISTERs can experience life as a teacher.
Application Support
Our friends at TEACH Colorado have free tools and resources to make applying to our program—and becoming a classroom teacher—easier! Create an account today and immediately access:
- An interactive application checklist to keep you on track
- $100 fee reimbursement towards application and testing expenses
- 1-on-1 expert advice for any question along the way
- How-to guides for eligibility, applications, testing and finances
- A chance to win a $1,000 scholarship toward tuition