Meet Your New Laguna Beach Unified School District Staffers

Submitted by the Laguna Beach Unified School District:

Three new school site staff members have joined the Laguna Beach Unified School District Team to support District students and staff.

Johnathan Rastello brings experience as both a high school counselor and college admission counselor to his new role as a Laguna Beach High School Counselor. Mr. Rastello earned a B.F.A. in Film and Television from Chapman University and his M.A. in Counseling from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. Mr. Rastello worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Leadership and Development at LMU/LA and as an Admissions Counselor with Chapman

University. Most recently he worked as a School Counselor for JSerra Catholic High School. One of Mr. Rastello’s favorite aspects of his job is the collaborative process with students and families as they explore their post-secondary options. A lifetime learner, he enjoys a wide variety of activities including soccer, running and building a vegetable garden. Laguna Beach High School Principal Joanne Culverhouse remarks, “Mr. Rastello has already proven to be an asset to our counseling staff. He brings a wealth of knowledge to our team and students will benefit from his kind and caring approach.”

New Thurston Middle School Assistant Principal Joseph Vidal joins the LBUSD team from Vista Verde School in Irvine where he worked as Assistant Principal. He earned a B.A. in Psychology, and a M.S. in Special Education, from California State University, Long Beach and a M.A. in Education, from UCLA-Principal Leadership Institute. Mr. Vidal has extensive experience working with at-risk youth, team building, staff development and helping maintain a safe learning environment. He is passionate about education and his hobbies include reading, mountain bike riding and world travel.

Thurston Middle School Principal Jennifer Salberg welcomes Mr. Vidal to the Thurston team, “His passion and enthusiasm for student success is contagious. Mr. Vidal brings a positive energy that has already enhanced Thurston and we are looking forward to another successful year.”

Robert Aristo has been selected as the District’s new School Psychologist assigned to Thurston Middle School.  He has an impressive educational and professional background including a B.A. in Child Development from CSULA, an M.A. in Educational Psychology, and a PPS Credential in School Psychology from CSULB. He possesses a Bilingual Certificate of Competence (BCC) as well. His extensive experience includes work as a school psychologist working with students of all ages. Irene White, LBUSD Director of Special Education and Student Services, is pleased Mr. Aristo was selected to join the District team. “It is clear that Mr. Aristo will be a solid fit in our District. His background and experience will allow us to continue as well as expand our efforts in providing exemplary services to our students, parents and staff. Our school psychologists are truly among the best and the brightest in the county and I am honored to work with such exceptional individuals.”