This article reports on Cornell's role as a primary PhysTEC institution in addressing the national shortage of high school physics teachers. Many Cornell faculty engage in K-12 outreach activities, but the training of undergraduates to become educators is closer to Cornell's core mission and competency, and few activities can match the impact of placing a highly qualified teacher in the classroom. By embracing high school physics teaching as a career option for Cornell students, by bringing in talented high school teachers to serve as mentors and role models, and by partnering with colleagues in Education, Cornell can strengthen its undergraduate programs and help produce the teachers and educational leaders of tomorrow.