Garen Austin

Garen Austin is an Arizona native. Growing up in a household of teachers, Garen always aspired to become an educator. Garen graduated from Arizona State University, Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Education. Shortly thereafter Garen attended Northern Arizona University, and received a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, graduating with Distinction. Currently, Garen holds both Arizona Teaching and Principal Certificates. Garen is also a certified Instructor of Crisis Prevention and Intervention.

Since joining The ACES in 2000, Garen has worked in every ACES program and age group comprised of students with emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other educational challenges. Garen spent 6 years in various classroom capacities to include teaching in cross categorical classrooms at the Middle School and High School levels as well as serving in coordinator positions for The ACES Middle School, Jumpstart Vocational, and Rising Stars Autism Program. Starting in 2006, Garen spent 2 years as principal of The ACES Tempe campus followed by 5 years as Principal of the Peoria campus. In 2013, Garen accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer for The ACES, and was promoted to President of Arizona ACES schools in 2022. It is a dream come true for Garen to have the privilege of working with the exceptional students and excellent staff on all five campuses.