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 African American men 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.
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
Prospective MISTERs can access personalized assistance by reaching out to our admissions advisors, who are committed to providing individualized support and answering any questions regarding the application requirements and procedures.