Researchers have found that teachers are the number one in-school influence on student outcomes. And yet, many U.S. students lack access to well-prepared, highly qualified teachers due to decades of chronic teacher shortages and unequal systems of resource distribution. This circumstance has the highest impact on students of color and students in schools serving higher populations of low-income families. Teachers who receive thorough preparation and are supported with high-quality professional learning opportunities throughout their careers are better equipped to meet the needs of all their students. They also leave the profession at lower rates than underprepared teachers. Effective preparation ensures that teachers are equipped to provide the powerful, deeper learning experiences that enable students to not only learn content, but also think critically, solve problems, and learn how to learn.