The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Call Me MiSTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) program honored its second and third graduation classes with a ceremony March 15 at The Lindell in downtown Martin.
Call Me MiSTER originated at Clemson University in 2000 and has spread across the country. UT Martin is the only university in Tennessee to have a Call Me MiSTER program.
The highlight of the evening was the Louis C. Glover Blazer Ceremony, where each graduate received special blazers to mark their achievement. The ceremony is named for the late Department of Educational Studies faculty member who brought the program to UT Martin and was its initial coordinator.
This year’s graduation class included Solomon Hightower, a music education major from Memphis; Charles Hockett, a health and human performance major from Tiptonville; and Diego Huitzache (pronounced “hoo-ZAT-chee”), an education integrated studies major (middle school social studies) from McKenzie.
Hockett said he would like to start teaching physical education at the middle school level, adding that the Call Me MiSTER program helped prepare him for the classroom.
“My favorite thing about Call Me MiSTER is the support from the entire program, from the director all the way down to the students,” he said in an email interview. “You are surrounded by people who want to see you succeed and will do as much as they can to make sure of it.
“The program helped me with my development as a teacher by always keeping me accountable with my studies and making sure I was soaking in everything the classroom has been teaching me, but also giving me additional tips that will help me when I become a teacher.”
Hockett said his favorite teacher was Dr. Laura Brown, a professor of pedagogy in the UT Martin Department of Health and Human Performance.
“She cares,” he said. “You do not find too many teachers who genuinely care about you succeeding not only as a student but as a teacher, and it means a lot to have someone like that in your corner.”
Asked why he wants to be a teacher, Hockett said he wants to inspire students.
“There are not too many people who look like me or even the same gender as me who get into the field of education,” he said. “I want to show young men that you can do it; whatever you put your mind to is possible.
“I also want to use education to give me the opportunity to coach basketball. Coaching basketball has always been a dream of mine, and I plan on using this platform to not only teach the game of basketball the right way, but also shape young men to be ready for what’s next.”
Last year’s Call Me MiSTER graduating class was also honored at the ceremony. Those graduates included Keshawn Glover of Memphis, Jamarion Higgins of Tiptonville and Braxton Hobson of McKenzie.
The three 2024 graduates have teaching positions. Glover is a teacher in the Memphis-Shelby County School District, Higgins is a teacher in the Lake County School District and Hobson is a teacher in the McKenzie Special School District.
Call Me MiSTER is a teacher recruitment and retention program open to all aspiring teachers, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender. Graduates are expected to commit to serving communities facing teacher recruitment and retention challenges for as many years as they received support.
Dr. Austin Ferrell, assistant professor of educational studies, is in his second year as the director and academic success coordinator for the program.
“Call Me MiSTER has been beneficial in bringing in students who are interested in the teaching profession and may face challenges along the way,” he said. “It provides them with academic support, financial support or peer support.”
Students participating in the Call Me MiSTER program have weekly meetings, leadership and development training and provide community service.
For more information about the Call Me MiSTER program at UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu/callmemister or call 731-881-7210.
PHOTO: Posing with Call Me MiSTER program director and academic success coordinator Dr. Austin Ferrell (far left), lecturer of education, and Call Me MiSTER program training coordinator Dr. Mary Giles (far right), assistant professor of education and development, at the March 15 graduation ceremony are (l-r) 2024 graduate Jamarion Higgins, 2025 graduate Charles Hockett, 2024 graduate Keshawn Glover, 2024 graduate Braxton Hobson, 2025 graduate Diego Huitzache and 2025 graduate Solomon Hightower.
