Early Childhood Curriculum and Practice II (CDES 121) our student teaching course is designed to be the last class you take before receiving your certificate.   In addition to your classroom hours, you will work in an accredited preschool classroom 8 hours weekly under the supervision of a qualified mentor teacher.    From the first weeks, when you will be doing guided observations of your mentor, until the last weeks, when you will become the “teacher in charge”, this is your opportunity to put all of the knowledge gained in our coursework into practical application in the classroom.

If you are planning to enroll in this class, please contact the instructor for a placement application and interview.  This will ensure timely and appropriate placement.

Currently, we have student teaching sites at the Saddleback College Child Development Center, Country Village Preschool (Rancho Santa Margarita), St. Margaret’s Preschool (San Juan Capistrano), Pacific Preschool (Laguna Niguel), Saddleback Lutheran Preschool (RSM), Irvine Valley College Child Development Center and several other sites in Irvine, Newport Beach area, Placentia, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fullerton, and Yorba Linda. Online students can utilize Mentor Teacher sites in many other areas of California as well.

The California Early Childhood Mentor Program

Saddleback College is one of 93 colleges which participate in the California Early Childhood Mentor Program.  This program is a state wide effort to improve the quality of child care.  Through it, we provide training and support for early childhood professionals so that, they, in turn will b able to continue providing high quality services.

• Our student teachers are placed with mentor teachers for their supervised field experience
• Students are able to do post-student teaching placements for 25 hours per semester
• Directors may receive up to 20 hours of mentoring through the Director Mentor component of the program

Qualified teachers and directors may apply to be Mentor Teachers or Mentor Directors. 

More information on qualifications or applications can be obtained by contacting the Mentor Program Coordinator at btamialis@saddleback.edu and by visiting the Mentor Program website at www.ecementor.org.