Motivating high school students is a complex and challenging task. Add the resource shortfall and issues that result from the small size and remoteness of rural districts, and it may seem a nearly impossible undertaking. Motivation theory and research offer potential tools for teachers to use, but what are the needs of rural students, and what tools do teachers already have and use with students? A research study of rural high schools in the Midwest addressed these questions. Thirty-nine rural high school teachers were interviewed about their motivation-related perceptions, diagnostic indicators, and intervention strategies regarding their students' academic motivation. Findings inform an understanding of the motivational needs of students and teachers in rural settings. (Contains 3 tables.)