Call Me MiSTER

Call Me MiSTER (CMM) – Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models – is a teacher leadership program that addresses the crucial need for greater diversity in Colorado’s classrooms by leading in the recruitment, training, and placement of African American male teachers.

Launched in the year 2000 in the state of 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 over 40 cohorts and nearly 500 certified MiSTERs enriching classrooms, school districts and universities across America.

MSU Denver is poised to become the preeminent hub in Colorado for cultivating a new generation of REVOLUTIONARY male educators of color through its “Mile High MiSTER” Initiative.

Who is Call Me MiSTER for?

MiSTERs are mostly selected from underserved, socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the Denver metro area and abroad. Call Me MISTER® focuses on providing guidance & opportunities for men of color, particularly Black/African American males who have a desire to major as first degree-seeking undergraduate students in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Music Education, Special Education, Physical Education Teacher Education or a content area major with a concentration in Secondary or K-12 Teacher Licensure.

What does Call Me MiSTER provide?

As a MiSTER scholar, you will receive the following supports throughout their teacher licensure degree program at MSU Denver:

• Financial support for tuition
• Residence in the designated CMM Living & Learning Community (MiSTERs live together freshman through senior years)
• Support for books and Praxis licensure exams
• A tight-knit brotherhood, mentorship and support throughout the undergraduate experience
• Professional development opportunities at national and regional conference and the CMM Summer Leadership Institute and Internship
• Ongoing community engagement with local, school-based mentoring programs through our proud partnership with Denver Public Schools

Our Goal

Developing Revolutionary Educators & Community Leaders:

Beyond teacher preparation, Call Me MiSTER at MSU Denver is a movement, engaging in transformative initiatives that strengthen schools, inspire students, and elevate the voices of Black male educators. These include:

Leadership Development & Mentorship

• Lil MiSTERs Mentoring Program – Weekly mentorship for elementary students at Green Valley Elementary, fostering early leadership and academic confidence.
• MiSTERs Mentoring Program – A “Grow Your Own” pipeline at Dr. MLK Jr. High School, preparing young men of color for careers in education.
• MiSTER Magic Retreat – A national retreat for Call Me MiSTER student leaders and Site Coordinators across the country, focused on professional development and leadership training.

Community Engagement & Student Empowerment

• AFRO Leadership Summit – An annual event serving hundreds of young men of color (grades 6-12), providing mentorship, leadership training, and exposure to cultural awareness.
• School Assemblies & Live Action Plays – Interactive, morally-driven theatrical performances at local schools using costumes, props, and storytelling to engage students in valuable life lessons.
• International Service Projects – Annual global outreach projects where MiSTERs serve schools in international communities, reinforcing the importance of education and global citizenship.

Advocacy & Educator Recruitment

• Why Black Men Teach Podcast – A national platform elevating the voices of Black male educators, sharing their journeys, discussing student relationships, dismantling stereotypes, and celebrating the joys of teaching.
• Professional Development & National Presence – MiSTERs lead workshops and PD sessions at national education conferences and school seminars on topics including student discipline, mentoring, teacher recruitment & retention, and culturally responsive teaching.

Our Impact

The Call Me MiSTER program at MSU Denver is more than a teacher pipeline—it’s a mission to reshape education by ensuring Black male educators have the training, support, and leadership opportunities to make a lasting difference in classrooms and communities.

The process for admission to the Call Me MiSTER program must be completed in the following order:

• Apply and be accepted to MSU Denver.
  • You must be seeking your first undergraduate-level degree (those with previously completed undergraduate degrees are not eligible).
• Declare an undergraduate major in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, Art Education, Music Education, Physical Education Teacher Education or a content area major with a concentration in Secondary or K-12 Teacher Licensure.
• Submit FAFSA or CASFA
• Plan to reside in the designated Living & Learning Community (LLC) housing along with other MiSTERs in the cohort for the entire duration of their academic matriculation.
  • LLC housing is currently at The Villas apartments in the River North neighborhood of Denver
• Complete the MSU Denver Call Me MiSTER application (below)
• Participate in a virtual interview with our CMM Director

Expectations of a MISTER:

• Once accepted to Call Me MiSTER, participants must make continued satisfactory progress in MSU Denver’s School of Education and ultimately, meet all necessary requirements for teacher licensure and graduation.
• Participate in weekly or bi-weekly meetings as well as conferences, workshops and other activities sponsored by the CMM program
• Participate in field experiences under a mentor teacher at a local school, service-learning activities, special programs and/or projects throughout the school year
• Complete various assignments tasked by the CMM Program Director & cohort leadership

In 2006, Rashad Anderson embarked on his journey with the Call Me MiSTER program at South Carolina State University (SCSU). Graduating in 2010 with a B.S. in music education, Anderson proudly received the revered MISTER blazer—a customary attire donned by all MISTER graduates on their inaugural day of school. Following a period of teaching in public schools, and subsequent attainment of his Master’s degree and Ph.D., Anderson made his triumphant return to SC State University in 2015. Here, he assumed the role of a Professor of Teacher Education and took the helm as the director of the SCSU cohort of CMM.

Over his 8-year tenure, the SCSU Call Me MISTER cohort flourished into a flagship program. Their accomplishments included the production of 17 Teachers of the Year, the nurturing of 3 principals, invitations as featured presenters at more than 80 national and state conferences, and international travels. An accomplished MISTER, Anderson’s accolades include being the pioneer MISTER to achieve a doctoral degree in 2015, attaining the prestigious Call Me Trailblazer title in 2019, and presently serving as the National Expansion Coordinator for the Program.

With an abundance of knowledge, experience and innovation, Anderson brings an invaluable asset to MSU Denver’s cohort of Call Me MiSTER!

Call Me MiSTER will continue to succeed with support from our communities!

Use the button below to access our giving page for this program.