Language Aide

Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas; Eagle Pass (TX); On-site; USD 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Kickapoo Language Aide position within the Head Start/Child Care program offers an opportunity to support classroom activities under the supervision of the Kickapoo Language Lead and Head Start/Child Care supervision. The role emphasizes bilingual communication in English and Spanish, assisting with daily activities, meals, and transportation to ensure a safe, nurturing learning environment.

Qualifying candidates will have a CDA credential or be enrolled in a certification program, experience

Qualifications

• Kickapoo Speaking required.
• Active CDA credential or enrollment in certification program.
• Experience with young children in Head Start or similar program.
• Completion of physical exam; free of active TB.
• CPR, First Aid, Food Handlers trainings required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Teacher in planning and implementing the classroom program.
• Assist children with self-care, indoor/outdoor activities, meals, and transportation.
• Support staff and child ratios; ensure safety and supervision.
• Label and follow sanitation requirements; assist with field trips.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Language & Communication (English/Sp.

Attention to detail

Independent judgment

Confidential data handling

Work with diverse students

Education

CDA credential or enrolled in certification program

Associate or Bachelor degree preferred

Job description

In order to be considered for any vacancy within the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, an application must be completed. If you are among the qualified candidates, you will receive a call or email from one of our coordinators to schedule an interview. Once your application is completed, please send it to the Human Resources Department at [e-mail].

In House Only Applicants (Tribal Members and Employees currently working within a Kickapoo Entity)

Position: Kickapoo Language Aide

Supervisor: Kickapoo Language Lead and Head Start/Child Care

Division: Tribal Education Administration

Department: Head Start or Childcare Center

Responsibilities:

Responsible for assisting the Teacher in the planning and implementation of the classroom program. This includes but is not limited to assisting children with self-care activities, indoor and outdoor learning activities, meal or snack time activities, and student transportation duties.

Essential Duties and responsibilities include the following:

Prevention and Early Intervention

• Support services and individualization activities for children.
• Assist teacher with ongoing observations in support of screening and assessments.
• Provide feedback to classroom teacher in the area of individualization documentation.
• Reinforce lessons presented by teachers by reviewing material with students one‑on‑one or in small groups.
• Support a healthy and nurturing environment for all children.
• Support staff and child ratios.
• Provide activities for children on the bus.
• Maintain current emergency information for all children on the bus.
• Provide First Aid/CPR as required.
• Help children feel safe and comfortable while being transported.
• Properly label and follow sanitation requirements for the program.
• Assist children into and out of the bus.
• Assist with food sanitation requirements during field trips.
• Sit and eat with children during all meal times; provide and model good nutrition habits

Individualization

• Assist teacher in planning for individual needs of children.
• Assist by reinforcing activities for children in collaboration with teacher.
• Support and implement appropriate redirection practices to assist all children.
• Assist teacher with daily documentation in reference to daily observations.
• Release children from the bus to the parents, guardians or to persons who have been designated by the parents and documented in the child’s file only.
• Serve as an information liaison between the Head Start staff and the parents.

Disability Services

• Assist in the recruitment of children, including children with disabilities.
• Provide a supportive and inclusive environment for all children.
• Provide teacher with individual child’s input based on daily observations.
• Accompany children with disabilities to special need appointments when necessary.

Curriculum

• Assist teacher in the implementation of the curriculum.
• Assist teacher in making sure all aspects of child development are integrated in classroom activities.
• Assist teacher in establishing an open and ongoing communication with parents.
• Support the development of the weekly lesson plans by providing input as to his/her classroom observations of individual children or groups.
• Assist teacher with documentation and record keeping.

Family Partnership Building

• Support parents’ understanding of community agreement in reference to how they affect them or their child.
• Maintains open communication with parents. Builds relationships with students to create a positive, safe, and welcoming school culture.
• Assist in documenting and generating In‑Kind.
• Support parent participation in lesson plan development.
• Support parents in their understanding of child development.
• Participate in the program’s assessments, i.e. community assessment and self‑assessments.

Parent Involvement

• Assist teacher in encouraging parental involvement and participation in parent meetings and workshops.
• Support parental participation in the development of weekly lesson plans.
• Support parent participation in local parent meetings.

Community Partnership

• Is familiar with and support collaborative agreements with the community and community partners.

Specific Systems Duties…Eligibility, Recruitment, Enrollment, and Attendance

• Is knowledgeable of program requirements in the area of eligibility, recruitment, enrollment, and attendance.
• Supports and participates in the recruitment of all children, especially in the recruitment of children with disabilities.

Specific Systems Duties…Facilities, Materials, and Equipment

• Is knowledgeable about Head Start and Child Care Licensing requirements for appropriate facilities, equipment and materials.
• Assist in assuring material and equipment meet developmentally appropriate criteria for young children.
• Assist teacher and CDC by continuously monitoring for appropriate environments for children.
• Enforce school and class rules to help teach students proper behavior
• Report any unsafe, unhealthy or threatening item to the teacher or CDC.
• Provide appropriate materials and supplies to children throughout the day.
• Monitor children to keep them from entering dangerous situations or areas.
• Assist in supervising students in class, between classes, during lunch and recess, and on field trips
• Monitor children leaving the classroom, including the bus, so that they are released only to authorized persons.

Other

• Assist teacher with daily lessons, including activities that are supportive of pedestrian and transportation safety.
• Assist in emergency evacuation of building and bus, once a month.
• Attend workshops, conferences and all in‑service trainings. Participate in professional development activities. Maintain training hours and documentation as required
• Support children transportation needs.
• Participate in meal service with children.
• Support guidance and redirection practices to support a healthy earning environment for all children.
• Is willing to participate in staff development programs in the area of Early Childhood Development.
• Is willing to participate in out of town and out of state travel for trainings.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and trainings.
• Assign seating arrangements on the bus.
• Maintain a current physical examination on file.
• Maintain regular attendance and notify supervisor when absent and/or late.
• Perform such other tasks as may be assigned from time to time by supervisor.
• Be in the classroom before children arrive each morning, unless designated by supervisor to another duty.

Knowledge, skills and abilities for the position:

• Ability to work with culturally and economically diverse students and have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Kickapoo families, employees, and other professionals.
• Ability to understand and apply Head Start Performance Standards and State Licensing requirements in the classroom.
• Mathematics: Ability to perform simple arithmetic for demonstrative calculations.
• Language & Communication: Ability to read, write, speak and understand English and Spanish, and communicate effectively with others.
• Speak and write in English and Spanish.
• Ability to communicate with Kickapoo Tribal members Ability to understand and follow written and verbal direction.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage and maintain security of confidential data and information.
• Ability to work effectively without extensive supervision
• Ability to exercise independent and sound judgment.
• Cultural awareness of and sensitivity to Kickapoo traditions, religious beliefs and way of life.

Supervision exercised:

This position does not carry out supervisory responsivities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

Education/experience requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

Kickapoo Speaking Required.

The employee must possess an active Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or be concurrently enrolled in certification program.

Experience working with young children in a Head Start or other early childhood program.

Completion of satisfactory physical examination. The employee must be free of active Tuberculosis (TB Skin Test).

Must attend trainings for CPR, First Aide, Food Handlers Certification and others required as assigned by Tribal Education Administration

Preferred Qualifications:

An Associate Degree or Bachelor of Arts Degree is preferred.

Disqualifying Criteria:

Regulations implementing the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act require an individual to be denied employment if he or she has been convicted of any felony, or any two or more misdemeanor offenses, under Federal, State, or Tribal law involving crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, contact or prostitution, crimes against persons, or offenses committed against children.

Native American preference is observed:

KTTT recognizes preference for KTTT tribal members and qualified Native American tribal members including preferential treatment in recruitment, hiring, promotions, layoffs and reductions in force so long as they meet minimum job qualifications.