This article shares thoughts about motivating young adolescents from the perspective of middle level students. The most compelling thread to emerge from the interviews with students was the fact that teachers matter. Teachers have a direct and significant impact on students' motivation to achieve. This article identifies three ways in which teachers can positively influence their students' desire to engage in school--by building strong relationships, by reducing the amount of homework they give, and by teaching concrete ways of managing time--and offers specific suggestions for practicing classroom teachers.