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Meet Courtney!  

March 7 was Employee Appreciation Day, but we’re celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Courtney Peterson, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at our Rivermont Lynchburg North campus.  

What is your favorite thing about working here?  

My favorite thing about working for Rivermont is being a part of such a collaborative team that brings lasting impact to our students each day. We have an amazing community of people who are all focused on doing what is best for our students and it's a privilege to be a part of!  

What keeps you coming to work each day?  

The students bring a smile to my face each morning! I love greeting each of them as they walk through the door and having the opportunity to build relationships with them. I also love that I get to provide supervision and support to those who want to pursue their BCBA.  

How do you make an impact on students’ lives?  

I get to use the science of behavior analysis to provide socially significant outcomes for our students by supporting them in life-skills, communication and social-emotional learning.  

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

I love that collaboration is at the center of our model for serving students! The student benefits most when we all work together.  

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

My day typically starts early by welcoming our students as they arrive. I spend time each day in classrooms checking in on staff and students and providing support wherever needed. Part of my day is usually dedicated to creating and maintaining our students' support plans, assessments, and program materials as well as attending IEP meetings. Each day is different and exciting and usually before I know it, it's time to see our students out the door. After school, I get to conduct staff training, meet with teachers, review data, and make program progress decisions accordingly.  

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

I began working in in-home Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in Northern Michigan and quickly grew to love the field and working with the autism population. I decided to pursue my master's and my BCBA while working full-time. I assisted with opening a clinic in Northern Michigan and served as a Clinical Director before my husband and I decided to move south. I have loved the balance I have found working with students and being able to be available for my own family.  

Currently, I am one of two BCBAs at our school which allows the opportunity to support our students at different levels, provide supervision to RBTs and facilitate fieldwork hours for those completing their ABA coursework. While working at Rivermont, I've also been able to pursue my research interests and even present at a national conference.  

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

My proudest accomplishments all involve getting to be a part of the accomplishments of others. From new BCBAs passing their exams and becoming certified to students meeting their goals, graduating or transitioning back to public school and participating successfully in the community, it's such an honor to be a part of the bigger picture.  

What is something about you that not many people know?  

Before discovering ABA, I was interested in pursuing family counseling. I still enjoy connecting with the families and parents of our students and helping them find practical solutions to support their children into adulthood.