“Life as a teacher begins the day you realize you are always the learner.” 

Abbie Tavizon, a special education teacher and board certified behavior analyst (BCBA), is the site administrator at LEARN Academy in Scottsdale.

Abbie began her career as a special education teacher at the private day school for kids with autism when it was known as Chrysalis Academy. In 2024, Chrysalis became part of LEARN Academy, a nationwide organization that offers a variety of services for special education and academic intervention.

Abbie says she fell in love with the population of children on the autism spectrum even while she was in school, where she changed her degree from nursing to education. She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in general and special education. Then she got her master’s in education at Northern Arizona University in 2013 to become a BCBA. Abbie also has experience working as a BCBA at a behavioral health center.

Abbie says her passion lies both in helping students in a school setting and helping them develop skills that increase their overall quality of life at home and within
the community. That’s what she says she likes best about working at LEARN Academy.

“The most rewarding part of my job is helping students achieve milestones and empowering them to lead more independent lives.

Tracy Pullen is the director of behavioral services at LEARN Academy in Scottsdale. She leads programs to improve the lives of students with autism and other disabilities.  

Tracy has worked at LEARN Academy (formally known as Chrysalis Academy) for more than 13 years, leading a team of skilled professionals in delivering tailored interventions that promote positive behavioral changes and support individual growth. 

Tracy earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Arizona State University and her master’s in education from Northern Arizona University. She has been a board certified and licensed behavior analyst in Arizona since 2015. 

In her spare time, Tracy loves spending time with her family and friends and watching football. 

“Watching our students achieve their successes, both big and small, brings me a sense of joy and fulfillment.”

For more than 16 years, Carolyn Mulhern has been the director of operations at LEARN Academy (formerly Chrysalis Academy), a specialized school dedicated to supporting children with autism.  

Carolyn graduated from Arizona State University, where she built a strong foundation for her career in educational administration.  

At LEARN Academy, Carolyn manages daily operations to keep everything running efficiently. She actively builds strong ties with school districts and the Arizona Department of Education, fostering effective collaboration. She also works closely with educators, therapists, and families to provide personalized support for each student’s unique needs. Her leadership and dedication are central to LEARN Academy’s mission, empowering every student to reach their full potential.