Organization of the Week: Call Me MiSTER
Call Me MiSTER is an organization designed to train and support future teachers from diverse backgrounds specifically black male students. Currently, there is a shortage of teachers as fewer people are pursuing a career in teaching and teachers are seeking jobs elsewhere.
Terrance Williams is a Senior Middle-Level Education major and serves as public relations chair of the Call Me MiSTER program. He joined the program as a Junior and stated:
“It was the best decision that I have ever made”.
Being a part of Call Me MiSTER he found a support system to help him with his journey to become a teacher.
“I also joined the program because I feel like it would be a good support system for me. I work good in support systems— I like feeling supported and when I feel supported it would help me excel”.
Other members have also been successful in this program. Melvin Archie Jr. interned at USC Upstate and was able to represent USC Aiken abroad in Greece.
The Call Me MiSTER program is not just an organization but a lifestyle. Terrance recalled,
“This is not just a club…it’s a lifestyle. When you are a MiSTER you’re a MiSTER for life”.
The program is known amongst educators in South Carolina but has been growing throughout the country in states such as Georgia, Colorado, Kansas and Louisiana.
When asked about how the organization prepared him for his future career, Terrance explained:
“We’ve been to several different schools in Aiken County doing presentations to high school students.”
