Blogs

March 7 was Employee Appreciation Day, but we’re celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Taylar Wells, a Lead Behavior Therapist at our Rivermont Fredericksburg campus.  

What is your favorite thing about working here?  

My favorite thing about working at Rivermont is being able to work with the kids closely and seeing their growth day by day. Since our classrooms are smaller than average public-school settings, it's easier to build relationships with students and help them navigate social, academic, and behavioral challenges to become the best version of themselves. 

What keeps you coming to work each day? 

Continuing to see my students' little pockets of growth and seeing the small steps forward to their overall goals helps me come back to work every day. 

How do you make an impact on students’ lives?  

I have a unique way of finding connections and building relationships with students. At Rivermont, we have a diverse program, and while I primarily work on the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) side, I always encourage people to come and see that I’m here for all students. 

Whether a student is in a Positive Behavior Intervention (PBIS) classroom, part of the ACCESS program, or in the general education setting, I make it a point to support them. I don’t limit myself to one space, I step in where I’m needed, help out, and encourage positive behavior across different environments. 

No matter the classroom, the setting, or the challenges a student may face, I focus on creating strong, meaningful bonds with them. 

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

Supportive resonates with me the most because I love my team at Rivermont Fredericksburg. As I navigate through this new role and I think about where most of my success has come from, I found a new level of confidence because I know that I have a strong team that'll be there to support me and answer the questions I don’t have yet. They always give me another perspective for something I'm trying to figure out. 

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

When I arrive in the morning, I start by checking my email and having a little coffee because I need my coffee to start the day. 

At 8:30 am, I help welcome students as they enter the building. I make a point to greet every single student with a "Good morning, I’m glad to see you!" Most of them come in smiling, but for those who don’t, I try to catch any signs that they might need support before challenges arise. If there’s anything we can do to set a positive tone for their day, I’m there to help. 

After that, I check in on classrooms, making sure staff are settled in and feel supported so we can start the school day on the right foot. Then, I head back to my office to join Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, check my calendar, and handle any other obligations for the day. 

As lunchtime approaches, the energy picks up, so I spend more time on the floor, moving through classrooms, checking in with students, and making sure they have what they need, whether it’s a walk, a break, or a visit to the sensory room. 

Throughout the day, I continue this cycle, balancing meetings and other responsibilities while staying present in the school, stepping in where I’m needed to provide the best support possible. 

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

I actually have a degree in political science, but I quickly realized that wasn’t the path for me. Instead, I found my niche in working with people, building relationships is truly my why. 

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals of all ages and abilities, from adults in group homes to children as young as 18 months in early intervention clinics. Rivermont gives me a little bit of everything. Not quite 18 months, but I get to work with kindergarteners, “my littles”, all the way up to students on the ABA side who are 22. 

This experience has inspired me to take the next step in my career. I was a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for about seven years, but I wanted to grow within the company. That led me to pursue my Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification. Right now, I’m in graduate school at Purdue Global, set to graduate this summer, and I hope to sit for my certification exam in the Fall. 

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

I don’t think I have just one proud moment, there are so many little glimpses that stand out. 

One of the things that always makes me proud is seeing students who once struggled make progress and successfully transition to a less restrictive setting. Watching that growth and knowing I played a role in their journey is incredibly rewarding. 

Seeing some of my ABA students graduate last year was another moment that really hit me. I didn’t fully grasp how significant that achievement was, not just for them, but for their families as well. Seeing their success in a school setting and the impact it had on their future made me incredibly proud. 

What is something about you that not many people know?   

I'm a huge basketball fanatic and played college basketball. As an undergraduate, I received a full-time scholarship for basketball. I love sports and that is something I often share with my students to bond with them.