These events provided invaluable exposure for the MiSTERs and helped reinforce their dedication to leadership, service, and educational excellence.
The month kicked off with the Call Me MiSTER Showcase at Greenville Technical School on February 14, where MiSTERs presented to high school students, college students, and educators on the topic: “I Don’t Belong in College and I Can’t Be a Teacher: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome.”
Freshman MiSTER Jamari Johnson shared his experience, saying, “Going from being in high school last year to now presenting to high school students was a fullcircle moment for me. I didn’t truly understand the significance of practicing the presentation until I saw students our
age engaged and interested in what we were doing. It was such an important and surreal experience.”
On February 22, the MiS-TERs traveled to McCormick, SC, to host a Call Me MiSTER Workshop at Cedar Springs Baptist Church. During this session, they shared an overview of the program with prospective students and community members.
MiSTER Kennington Rogers reflected on the experience: “Standing before future educators and community leaders, I felt the weight of our mission—to inspire, uplift, and pave the way for the next generation of educators. It was a reminder that the work we do extends far beyond the classroom; it shapes the future of education itself.” While in the area, the MiSTERs also visited the memorial site of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays in Greenwood, SC, honoring his legacy as a renowned educator and civil rights leader.
The month concluded with a “Reading Day” at Joseph Keels Elementary School in Columbia, SC, on February 28. The MiSTERs read to
young students, shared their personal educational journeys, and encouraged literacy as a vital tool for success.
Junior MiSTER Savion Bouknight noted, “This event was an incredible experience. It felt amazing to give back to the community while also being actively recruited into the profession. Seeing young students excited about learning and knowing I could play a role in inspiring them was truly fulfilling.”
February served as a month of impact and inspiration, reaffirming the essential role of the Call Me MiSTER program in shaping the future of education and the educators who will lead it.
About Call Me MiSTER
The Call Me MiSTER program at South Carolina State University is dedicated to increasing the number of educators in South Carolina’s K-12 schools. For more information, contact Dr. Costonzo Bryant-Martin at cbryantm@scsu.edu or 803-536-8490. For more information regarding the Department of Teacher Education, please contact Dr. Geroge Johnson at gjohns32@scsu.edu or 803-536-8793.
