TeachStart was founded on the core belief that, while there may be a teacher shortage, there are still prospective educators who want to teach. Many of these prospective educators identify as people of color. TeachStart provides a pathway for prospective teachers of color to enter the classroom by removing the barriers they commonly face. TeachStart educators serve as substitute teachers while earning a debt-free credential, solving both schools’ immediate need for substitutes and their long-term need for more diverse teachers.