Texas faces a critical shortage of well-prepared teachers, with one-third of all educators uncertified or trained through fast-track, fully online programs. This brief presents new evidence that teacher preparation affects both student learning and long-term earnings. For every 10% increase in unprepared teachers, student wages decline by 5% a decade after high school. Estimates suggest that replacing 10% of unprepared teachers with well-prepared educators would increase annual earnings by up to $2,800 per student. The impact is even greater in rural areas. This brief discusses policy recommendations involving teacher pay, Grow Your Own programs, and paid teacher residencies.