The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological research study was to explore the effectiveness of programs and strategies used to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act (2001) from the perspective of highly qualified teachers in a rural school district in Central Virginia. The data collection process consisted of semi-structured, open-ended interviews of 11 highly qualified teachers in the rural school district. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using Moustakas' (1994) modified van Kaam method of analysis and NVivo 9 research software (QSR International, 2007). The analysis resulted in 11 core themes and 60 invariant constituents. A significant finding in this study suggested the challenges of recruiting and retaining teachers in the rural school district resulted from factors related to the rural setting. The highly qualified teachers mandate of the NCLB Act minimally influenced recruiting and retaining teachers in the rural school district. The underlying conclusion of this study was recruitment and retention efforts should include a variety of initiatives that meet the different needs of rural teachers. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]