Thai Ray Williams is a doctoral student at the University of North Carolina- Charlotte and a National Board Certified Teacher with 31 years of experience as a special education teacher. Her research interests include: (a) academic instruction for students with extensive support needs, (b) family-centered and culturally-responsive practices for Native American families and children with disabilities, and (c) the use of evidence-based practices in rural educational settings. In her spare time Thai enjoys working on her van conversion, creating multimedia art, and random adventures.