Our staff brings years of experience, knowledge and commitment and provides services including individual, sibling, parent, and family therapeutic supportive counseling. In addition to assisting students with their academic course work, staff members participate in extracurricular activities, athletic events with students and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to our families.

Art Aragon, Executive Director

Art has been working in the field of adolescent substance abuse and behavioral management for over 30 years. He has been at the forefront of this field, developing innovative programs to address the needs of youth who struggle with substance abuse / chemical dependency, including in-patient, outpatient and residential programs. Art is co-founder and co-owner of RESCU Academy and has been a leader in the development and implementation of family support systems in San Diego County.

Cheryl Zak, Executive Director

For more than 18 years, Cheryl Zak has advocated for students and families throughout San Diego County.  She has been a licensed clinical social worker since 1991, having received her Master's degree in Social Science Welfare from The Ohio State University. Cheryl then went on to study pre-law at Oxford University in England.  She was the Clinical Director for one of the largest outpatient mental health private practices in San Diego. She has recently received her certification credential from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) through the University of California, Riverside.  She is currently the co-owner and Executive Director of RESCU Academy.

Valerie Flores, Principal

Valerie Flores graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2005 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in English. Valerie was an All-American Cross Country and Track and Field runner at UCLA. She served as the UCLA team captain for her team in 2004 and 2005 and received individual All-Pac-10 and All-Western Region awards throughout her career. Valerie was also the secretary of the UCLA Bruin Athletic Council, a student-athlete organization which sponsored philanthropic activities and events for the athletic department. Valerie received her teaching credential through the Cal-State TEACH Fullerton program. She serves as the WASC coordinator for RESCU Academy, and has received her certification credential from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges  through the University of California, Riverside. Valerie also manages the UC course development for RESCU Academy.

Jason Holleron, Supervising Teacher

Jason Holleron graduated with honors from San Diego State University in 2003 with a BA in Liberal Studies. He received his teaching credential at SDSU and taught elementary schools in southern California before joining the RESCU staff. Jason was captain of his soccer team at Southwestern College and was an assistant coach for two years of the SDSU Women's Club Soccer Team as they finished top 5 in the nation both years. He is also a member of the Greater San Diego Math Council and the Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education. Jason is also the RESCU Academy Science Decathlon coordinator.

Nicole Trotta, Fitness Coordinator/Teacher

Nicole Trotta graduated from Hofstra University, New York in 2005 with a BS in Physical Education. She spent two years teaching middle school and high school physical education and anatomy/physiology in London and also coached soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and track and field at the middle school and high school level.  She has served as a Special Olympics coach for soccer and basketball, and has worked extensively with developmentally disabled children on daily living skills, community awareness, sports skills, fitness, arts and crafts, and acquiring social skills. Nicole has also been a Direct Care Counselor for a Non-for-Profit Autistic program, where she was not only a one to one counselor of an autistic adolescent but also implemented principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, as well as designed and implemented recreation programs for autistic children ages 6 to 18.

Julie D. BeDell, MFT, Family Support Coordinator

Julie graduated from San Diego State University with a BS in Child Development.  She went on to receive her Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Phoenix.  Julie has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2005.  She began her work with children in 1996 as a counselor for school age children with developmental disabilities.  In 1999, she was the Program Social Worker for an adolescent Residential Treatment Facility and most recently,  Julie worked with emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth and their families as the Assistant Director/Clinical Supervisor for a Foster Family Agency. 

The RESCU Dogs

Our two dogs (Jose the Schnauzer and Bunny the Schnoodle) are at school every day. The students enjoy having the dogs around because it promotes a school community. Through interaction with the dogs, students gain a sense of comfort, discipline, care, responsibility, reward,discipline, leadership, and an overall atmosphere of calmness.

We have also welcomed, Yobe, our very own Uromastyx lizard!