Molly Walega, MS, BCBA, LBA
After graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology from South Dakota State University in 2013, Molly made her way to Colorado where she took an entry level position as a before and after-school daycare worker serving disadvantaged children in Colorado Springs. Constantly faced with behavioral challenges and minimal strategies for intervention, it was here that she experienced first-hand the same kind of burnout that so many teachers, daycare workers, parents, and other caregivers experience on a daily basis. Ultimately this led Molly to seek out other job opportunities where she could gain experience and the skills required to be successful in settings where behaviors can disrupt learning and relationship development. So when she found a job posting for a behavior technician position she was immediately interested. Little did she know this new job venture was going to result in the discovery of her passion for the science of behavior analysis.
Over the next 8 years, Molly honed her skills, practicing as a Registered Behavior Technician, directly applying the concepts and principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with dozens of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Then in 2022, Molly finally achieved her long term goal of completing her Master's degree in psychology (specialization in ABA) through Capella University. Not long after she completed board certification and began a new journey with four new letters at the end of her name. BCBA.
Whether it’s a child saying their first words, a family taking the vacation they didn’t think was possible, a caregiver going back to work because their child’s behaviors are now “under control”, or a child learning how to name shapes and colors, as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst Molly has had the privilege of witnessing both radical and subtle behavior change. But learning doesn’t stop there which is why she has also devoted hundreds of hours to specialized training in focused treatment areas such as skill-based treatment, organizational behavior management, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Ultimately, it is human connection and compassion that continue to fuel Molly’s passion for ABA.
About Us
Meaghan Fields, MS, BCBA, LBA
Meaghan graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Exercise Science. Although she originally planned to become a Physician Assistant, her path shifted shortly after graduation while working in a dementia care facility. A job posting for a Registered Behavior Technician caught her eye—and changed the course of not only her career, but her life. In 2016, she started her career in ABA and by 2019 she had started her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Throughout her graduate studies, Meaghan gained diverse experience providing ABA services to seniors in care homes and to children with autism in their homes. She also had the opportunity to partner with a Charter School in the greater Sacramento area, overseeing five campuses serving grades K–12. In that role, she supported students on IEPs and delivered ongoing, intensive training to school staff. In 2021, Meaghan relocated from California to South Dakota, and in 2022 she achieved her long‑held goal of becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Since earning her BCBA, Meaghan has worked in a clinic setting, supporting a wide range of patients and their families. Being a BCBA has given her a front‑row seat to the everyday victories, challenges, and growth her patients experience. Building meaningful connections with families and witnessing progress—both in the child and within the family as a whole—continues to fuel her passion in this field.
What does pasque mean?
The pasque flower, or prairie crocus, is the official state flower of South Dakota. The stems and petals display fine, silky hairs that help keep this delicate flower warm during its early, and often chilly, blooming season.
The pasque flower holds particular significance among the Indigenous cultures of South Dakota, reminding people of the resilience required to survive in harsh conditions. Many native communities recognized the flower as a clear sign of spring and symbol of renewal. Its emergence signaled that the buffalo would soon abound and the winter was coming to an end.
At PBS, we recognize that you may be going through a harsh season right now. However, we are here to help because we believe that when given the right tools, resilience is rewarded with long awaited renewal.