Our staff brings years of experience, knowledge and commitment and provides services including individual and family psychological consultation, parenting consultation, social skills training, anger management and group therapy. Our staff is on-site assisting students with their academics and 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 our youth who struggle with substance abuse / chemical dependency, including in-patient, outpatient and residential. 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

Cheryl has been practicing psychotherapy for 19 years in San Diego and is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her Master’s degree in Social Science Welfare, from Ohio State University and went on to study law at Oxford University in England. She was the Clinical Director for one of the largest outpatient private practices in San Diego and also holds the Diplomate in clinical social work. Cheryl ran her own private practice prior to becoming owner of a psychological corporation. In addition, Cheryl has been an examiner for the LCSW state licensing board. She is currently the co-owner of RESCU Academy. Ms. Zak was a presenter to the faculty at The University of Southern California for substance abuse CEU's. She has recently received her certification credential from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges through the University of California, Riverside. 

Valerie Flores, Principal

Valerie graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2005 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in English. Valerie is a former All-American Cross Country and Track and Field runner at UCLA. She served as the UCLA team captain for her team earning 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.

Jason Holleron, Supervising Teacher

Jason graduated Cum Laude from San Diego State University in 2003 with a BA in Liberal Studies. He received his teaching credential at SDSU and taught for more than two years in 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.

Nicole Trotta, Fitness Coordinator/Teacher

Nicole graduated from Hofstra University, New York in 2005 with a BS in Physical Education. She has recently spent the past 2 years teaching middle school and high school physical education and anatomy/physiology in London and has 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 6-18.

The RESCU Dogs

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

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