Research has established the importance of cultural proficiency in improving students' academic and behavioral outcomes. Effective educators recognize that culture influences their actions as well as the thoughts and behaviors of their students (Nuri-Robins, Lindsey, Lindsey & Terrell, 2012). To ignore the impact of one's culture is to ignore the opportunities and challenges within the instructional teaching and learning environment. Culturally responsive teaching practices can assist educators in bridging differences in language, heritage, race, socio-economic status, trauma history, and...