Abstract
This study explores the successful strategies used by rural schools for recruiting and retaining highly effective teachers as the ongoing shortage of new, highly effective teachers in rural areas, who might increase student performance. Appreciative Inquiry was utilized to analyze contemporary perspectives critically. Findings indicate that encouraging college students to stay and teach in their rural communities, promoting fiscal responsibility in school districts, and creating mentorship programs for new hires helped recruit and retain effective teachers. In addition, these findings can assist initiate conversations about how rural schools should identify and encourage the next generation of teachers.