Jackson State University is leading the way in recruiting more African American male teachers for Mississippi classrooms as home to the only Call Me Mister program in the state. Launched in 2012 with a five-student cohort, the program is designed to provide a pipeline of African-American male teachers, mentors, and role models to Mississippi’s public schools and communities.
The need is great – both in Mississippi and nationwide. Less than 2 percent of public school teachers in the U.S. are African-American men. Around 2 percent of Mississippi’s public elementary school teachers are African-American men.
Call Me Mister is an innovative and effective method launched by Clemson University that has received national recognition for addressing contemporary social challenges through the placement of teachers as role models in elementary schools.
Call Me Mister immerses students in field experiences, summer leadership institutes and summits, as well as in school and community outreach. JSU received a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to fund the program.