As policymakers endeavor to address the teacher shortage as a whole, they should also consider the research around teacher diversity and explore policies that aim to increase the achievement of minority students. This issue of "coNCepts" examines the diversity gap in North Carolina and highlights the need for a strategic solution that can bring more minority candidates into the teaching profession. This issue contains the following sections: (1) Teacher Diversity: A Nationwide Concern; (2) Diversity and Student Achievement: A Summary of the Research; (3) Spotlight on North Carolina; (4) Challenges; (5) Notable Recruitment Efforts in North Carolina; and (6) Root Causes of the Diversity Gap.