Abstract: The problem. This study gathered information on current research and theory pertaining to empowering and culturally sensitive teaching strategies used in classrooms to engage students. The study gave students the opportunity to share attitudes and strategies that will help them to assume responsibility for examining current teaching strategies and assisting teachers to create student-centered empowering classrooms. Method. Sites were classrooms in two elementary schools. Teachers using traditional teaching strategies were compared to teachers using culturally sensitive and empowering strategies. Student outcome measures included grades, written responses on questionnaires, and performance on standardized tests. A preliminary survey using open-ended and Likert-scale response options and administered to students and teachers provided quantitative and qualitative information. Results. Analysis of the data indicated that students felt more included, in control, and engaged in classrooms in which teachers used culturally relevant and sensitive teaching strategies than did students in classrooms in which teachers used traditional teaching methods.