Kent Huckins
Summary
Flexible, motivated, detail oriented professional, skilled at building strong working relationships with fellow staff, supervisors and community partners. Able to analyze data and develop creative, effective solutions, work well under pressure and as part of a team.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Tutor
Pierre School District
08.2024 - Current
- Facilitated social skills development through structured activities and peer interactions.
- Assisted students in achieving academic goals by providing one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to maintain a positive and focused learning environment.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
- Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback and support.
Early Kindergarten Tutor
Pierre School District
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Worked effectively throughout the school day, primarily with early kindergarten and fourth grade students.
- Boosted students academic and social skills through targeted guided individual and small group activities.
- Enhanced student learning by incorporating hands-on activities and interactive materials in lessons.
- Effectively facilitated weekly reading group for fourth grade students, along with daily math tutoring.
- Provided guidance and successful intervention for student behavior difficulties.
Head Coach
Pierre Swim Team
10.2005 - Current
- Oversee all aspects of USA swimming club
- Effectively supervise four assistant coaches
- Communicate effectively with Board of Directors, parents, media and community partners
- Schedule, plan and carry out practices to meet the needs of 110 swimmers ages 5-19
- Team has more than doubled in size during my time as Head Coach. Team finished first at the 2014 Short Course State Championships and is consistently among the top five in SD
- Coached numerous swimmers that have gone on to compete at the NCAA Division I and Division II collegiate level.
Contract Consultant
Lower Brule Community College
08.2017 - 12.2022
- Observe and interact with children and staff at Head Start Programs in Lower Brule and Ft. Thompson South Dakota
- Communicate effective strategies to staff regarding behavioral difficulties and effective classroom management.
- Built positive relationship with program staff
Coordinator of Special Projects
Oahe Inc
10.2015 - 02.2016
- Effectively managed the Recycle for Life Program
- Completed monthly audit of 100 accounts within the Agencies Financial Services Program
- Served as Agency liaison with Little Explorers Child Care
- Served as back up Director and filled in for Child Care staff as needed
- Managed building lease agreement with Berkley Risk Administrators and SD Department of Corrections for office space
Aquatics Director
Oahe YMCA
10.2013 - 10.2015
- Member of YMCA staff leadership team
- Responsible for all water fitness classes, swim lessons, private lessons, scheduling of lifeguards and special groups
- Recruit, hire, train and evaluate over thirty aquatic staff
- Develop budget, purchase program supplies and complete department payroll in timely manner
- Participant in Board of Director meetings and acted as staff liaison to Membership and Program Committee
Clinical Specialist
Capital Area Counseling Services
10.2010 - 06.2013
- Provide effective strength based services to children, families and adults, aiding them in recovery from co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues.
- Assist family members in facilitation of team meetings
- Assist individuals in crisis through mental health on call system
- Built positive relationships with Indian Health Service and Tribal Behavioral Health staff, leading to increased services for individuals on Crow Creek and Lower Brule Reservations
- Created and facilitated anger/domestic violence group at Lower Brule Justice Center
- Participated in monthly Multidisciplinary Team Meetings with US Attorneys Office, FBI, Tribal Law Enforcement, IHS and Tribal Social Services.
Executive Director
CIVIC Inc
04.2006 - 10.2010
- Develop agency budget.
- Negotiate and monitor contracts and memorandums of understanding.
- Developed positive and productive relationship with other child serving agencies in the area.
- Write grant proposals.
- Deliver presentations to various groups in the community.
- Active participant in Pierre Area Child Protection Team.
- Provide training and supervision for Court Appointed volunteers.
- Maintain open and positive relationship with Judges and attorneys in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
Juvenile Justice Program Specialist
South Dakota Division of Mental Health
04.2000 - 04.2006
- Provide administrative oversight of mental health services provided within state juvenile correctional facilities.
- Interview, hire, train, and complete employee performance reviews.
- Assist in budget development and budget maintenance.
- Initiate and develop contracts for psychiatric care for youth within juvenile corrections facilities in the state.
- Participant in United States Department of Justice review of the South Dakota Juvenile Corrections System
- Ongoing assessment of programmatic needs and development.
- Review, develop and update policies and procedures.
- Assisted Community Mental Health Centers and the Unified Judicial System in development of an MOU regarding service delivery
- Assist in discharge planning and coordination of community mental health services for youth in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
- Participant in State Placement Committee regarding youth with mental health and developmental disability issues.
Child and Adolescent Program Specialist
South Dakota Division of Mental Health
01.1998 - 04.2000
Interim Program Manager
Custer Youth Corrections Center
03.1997 - 01.1998
Treatment Team Leader
Custer Youth Corrections Center
11.1996 - 01.1998
Youth Counselor
Youth Forestry Camp
06.1995 - 11.1996
Family Support and Day Treatment Coordinator
Southwest Mental Health Center
06.1992 - 06.1995
Special Education Tutor
Pierre School District
08.2024 - Current
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SDSkills
- Analytical thinker
- Creative problem solver
- Effective team builder
- Excel under pressure
- Communication skills
- Public speaking
- Diversity and collaboration
- Bring out strengths in others
Timeline
Special Education Tutor
Pierre School District
08.2024 - Current
Special Education Tutor
Pierre School District
08.2024 - Current
Early Kindergarten Tutor
Pierre School District
08.2023 - 05.2024
Contract Consultant
Lower Brule Community College
08.2017 - 12.2022
Coordinator of Special Projects
Oahe Inc
10.2015 - 02.2016
Aquatics Director
Oahe YMCA
10.2013 - 10.2015
Clinical Specialist
Capital Area Counseling Services
10.2010 - 06.2013
Executive Director
CIVIC Inc
04.2006 - 10.2010
Head Coach
Pierre Swim Team
10.2005 - Current
Juvenile Justice Program Specialist
South Dakota Division of Mental Health
04.2000 - 04.2006
Child and Adolescent Program Specialist
South Dakota Division of Mental Health
01.1998 - 04.2000
Interim Program Manager
Custer Youth Corrections Center
03.1997 - 01.1998
Treatment Team Leader
Custer Youth Corrections Center
11.1996 - 01.1998
Youth Counselor
Youth Forestry Camp
06.1995 - 11.1996
Family Support and Day Treatment Coordinator
Southwest Mental Health Center
06.1992 - 06.1995
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
South Dakota State University
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