A strategy for addressing persistent teacher shortages is to increase the number of viable teacher candidates enrolling in quality preparation programs from which candidates graduate ready for the classroom on day one. This research report, utilizing data collected through a review of the relevant literature and interviews with a convenience sample of five West Virginia educator preparation programs and three teacher residency programs from across the country, examines current challenges to recruiting individuals to the teaching profession and presents several approaches to improving recruitment of high-quality and diverse teacher candidates. These include implementing data systems to support effective recruitment, establishing partnerships between educator preparation programs and school systems, expanding the pool from which candidates are recruited, employing high-touch recruiting practices, and making preparation programs more accessible to traditionally underserved populations.