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March 7 was Employee Appreciation Day, but we’re celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Ariadne Casillas, a Special Education Teacher at our Rivermont Northern Virginia campus. 

What is your favorite thing about working here?  

I enjoy working at Rivermont NOVA for several reasons, the most important being the students, my colleagues, and the variety each day brings. Building relationships with my students and teaching them not only academics, but also social skills is incredibly rewarding. I find satisfaction in helping them shape their behaviors and replacing them with more appropriate ones. I also appreciate how no two days are the same. Some days present challenges, while others are filled with laughter, which is what makes working at Rivermont so enjoyable. 

What keeps you coming to work each day?  

What keeps me coming back to work each day is the positive and supportive atmosphere at my school. The focus is always on students, and I’m surrounded by like-minded individuals who share the same commitment to their success. It’s a collaborative environment where everyone is dedicated to fostering student growth and development. 

How do you make an impact on students’ lives?  

I make an impact on students' lives by offering support in behavior, academics, and social development. A key focus for me is helping students develop their language and communication skills, which plays a significant role in how I interact with them daily. 

Which one of our BetterTogether values resonates with you most personally and why? (Integrity, Accountable, Collaborative, Inclusive, Supportive)  

While all of the BetterTogether values are important, integrity resonates with me the most. I believe in always doing the right thing, regardless of the circumstances. Additionally, inclusivity is significant to me, as it involves valuing and respecting the unique abilities of every individual. 

What does a “day in the life” look like for your role?  

A "day in the life" of my role varies, which is one of the aspects I find most appealing. The structure depends on the day of the week. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, all subjects are taught in a group setting. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, our schedule focuses on Discrete Trial Training (DTT) in the morning and group activities in the afternoon. This approach ensures that students receive exposure to grade-level curriculum while also addressing their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. I would like to acknowledge my classroom staff, whose support makes this structure possible. 

Can you talk a little bit about your career trajectory and what led you to where you are now?  

My career trajectory began in high school when I took a babysitting job for a single mother of a son with severe autism. Although I didn’t know much about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at the time, he taught me a great deal. This experience led me to work in the Fairfax County Public Schools’ Preschool Autism Classes (PAC), where I was part of a pilot program. As my interest in ABA grew, I joined an in-home ABA company, where I gained valuable experience in Verbal Behavior (VB), Natural Environment Training (NET), and ABA techniques, working alongside talented Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) professionals. In my late 20s, I decided to pursue a degree in special education, and upon graduation, I began working at Rivermont. At Rivermont Greater Petersburg, I was fortunate to have an exceptional mentor, BCBA Mrs. Brown, who helped me refine my teaching style and grow professionally. For a long time, I aspired to become a BCBA, but over time, I realized the value in appreciating the role of a good teacher. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being an effective teacher—it takes years of experience to develop and perfect a teaching style. I now fully appreciate where I am in my career and the impact I can make as a teacher. 

What has been your proudest moment or accomplishment in your role?  

My proudest moment in my role was teaching a child with limited language skills to consistently speak in phrases. Today, he is thriving and never stops talking! 

What is something about you that not many people know? 

Something about me that people may not know is that I was born in Puerto Rico, I have been practicing ABA since 2005, and I am a single mother to three boys!