Edward Waters College offering scholarships to create more African-American teachers

'Call Me Mister' program focuses on creating black, male teachers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The president of Edward Waters College wants our city's children to have more African- American role models in elementary school.  To do that, he has adopted a program used at Clemson, to encourage college students to earn a teaching degree.  In exchange, they will be given a scholarship.

The name of the program is "Call Me Mister".

President Nat Glover says the college will sponsor a student's education with a scholarship if he agrees to spend 5 years teaching in a local elementary school upon graduation.

Glover said during his interview this morning on The Morning Show, that many black children growing up in parts of our city are being raised in a single family home, usually by a mother, and without a good, male role model in their life.  He says black, male educators can have a positive impact on the lives of these children. 

According to Edward Waters College's website citing the Department of Education, black men only make up 2% of the 4.8 million educators across the country.  Less than 1% of those black men teach in elementary schools.

President Glover also talked this morning about creating more community awareness about Edward Waters College, which was founded in 1866 to educate freed former slaves. 

It is the oldest historically black college in Florida.  He wants to increase enrollment and hopes scholarship programs, like "Call Me Mister", will encourage more teenagers to attend the college, which is located in Northwest Jacksonville.  

To learn more about the "Call Me Mister" program click here.

 


About the Author:

Jennifer, who anchors The Morning Shows and is part of the I-TEAM, loves working in her hometown of Jacksonville.