Cornell University’s PhysTEC project leaders recognize that relatively few Cornell physics students pursue teaching, and Cornell faculty have not traditionally promoted it as a potential career. As a result, the project aims to raise the awareness and change the attitudes of students and faculty regarding careers in high school science teaching, provide opportunities for students to experience the challenges and rewards of classroom teaching, and provide mentoring and support as they work through the education program and into their first years as teachers. Through targeted one-on-one conversations, the TIR has attracted record numbers of physics majors to School of Education recruiting sessions for future teachers. Cornell’s Learning Assistant program launched with eight undergraduates in spring 2008.