Full-Time Faculty
I was born and raised in Hemet with my parents and older sister. I was a very active child; I danced (including Dancing with the Stars Style with my neighbor as my partner). I was a competitive baton twirler starting at the age of 4. I also took piano lessons, but I was not good at that at all. In High School, I twirled for my school, and I played on the tennis team. I always did very well in school and got along well with everyone.
When I was 16, I was in a car accident – hit by a drunk motorcyclist driving the wrong way down an expressway, hitting my friend’s car head-on (I was riding shotgun). I fractured my back, leg, and ankle. I had never drunk before that accident, and it further confirmed to me that I never wanted to. I did half of my senior year at home-hospital (like homeschool) and never really liked high school again once I did return.
I started at San Diego State as a Liberal Studies major to be an Elementary school teacher. After taking my first child development class, I changed my major to Child and Family Development. I was more interested in children under 5, and I knew I wouldn’t like all the politics involved in Elementary School. I paid my own way through college, so I worked 6 part-time jobs at a time. If I had a few hours free in my day, I would look to see how I could fill it with work. I was a specialized reading tutor in Elementary schools, I tutored English and math privately, I worked for the Children’s Hospital- Chadwick Center with children and families who were high-risk in parenting groups. I also worked with teen mothers and their babies there. I worked special event childcare, including watching the Padres’ players’ children during baseball games. I worked in respite care for children with special needs. I was a nanny and worked at a Family Home Daycare. I also worked for a catering company – that was my one job that did not involve children. I also volunteered in a nursing home, regularly visiting a sweet lady who did not have any family.
After graduating from SDSU, I went to Pacific Oaks College for my Master’s in Human Development with an emphasis in College Teaching/Working with Adults. While getting my Master’s, I worked one job full-time. I co-directed a license-exempt childcare center at a lavish fitness/sports club in Del Mar and created and ran enrichment classes for children. At that time, I also volunteered on the labor/delivery floor of Pomerado Hospital.
After receiving my Master’s Degree, I began teaching at Palomar College (20 years ago). I have also taught for CSUSM, Miramar, and worked for the Service Learning Department at Palomar College.
I see myself as a lifelong learner, and since I earned my Master’s degree and started my career in teaching, I have earned my certification as a Post-Partum Doula and as a Pre and Perinatal Educator. I recently completed a second Master’s Degree in Sociology from Grand Canyon University. At one point, I was a foster parent to two girls, ages 3 and 4. That was an eye-opening learning experience working with Child Welfare Services.
Teaching full-time and caring for my two teenage sons takes up most of my time, but I still enjoy helping others. I mentor a teen mother, care for a 93-year-old lady, and I am a wish-granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In my free time (haha), I like going to the beach, bowling, baking, and taking/teaching Trapeze lessons at Trapeze High.
Chair & Associate Professor
Office: MD-357 (San Marcos Campus)
gwilson2@palomar.edu
Phone: 760-744-1150 ext. 5046
Greetings Scholars.
My journey has been shaped by growth, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose. After beginning my career in marketing, I made a meaningful transition into education following the birth of my son, a path that led me from running a home daycare to earning my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University San Marcos. As he grew, so did my commitment to teaching and learning. I went on to earn a Master’s degree from Pacific Oaks and a second Master’s in Education, Technology, and Instructional Design from Western Governors University in 2024, strengthening my ability to design accessible and engaging learning experiences.
With over 25 years of experience, including more than a decade in the community college system, I have served in a variety of roles from running a home day care, working as an early childhood educator, teaching children from infants to 5th grade in private, public, and lab school settings, serving as a student and faculty mentor and professional growth advisor for the state of California, and now serving my current role as a fullt-time faculty member at Palomar College.
My work is grounded in a passion for supporting future educators, advancing equity and access, and elevating the quality and professionalism of early childhood education. I am committed to lifelong learning and believe that effective teaching is rooted in continuous growth, reflection, and collaboration.
Tanessa Sanchez
Assistant Professor| ECELS Liaison
CECMP Coordinator | CDTC Administrator
Office: MD-360 (San Marcos Campus)
tsanchez@palomar.edu
Phone: (760) 744-1150 ext. 2867
As a North County native, it is truly a privilege to return to my home community with the opportunity to interact with learners through their diverse journeys in education. I come to the Child Development Department with a background focused on child safety and health, family strengthening, and supportive communities. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Diego State University (Go Aztecs!) and a Master’s degree in Social Welfare, more commonly known as Social Work, from UCLA (Go Bruins!).
For the last seven years, I have worked in clinical and case management settings as a social worker. I began my career in child welfare, and I currently work as a clinical social worker at a pediatric hospital. Having the opportunity to work with children and families every day fuels my passion and dedication to the field of child development. In my perspective, nothing could be more important than supporting children every step of the way from prenatal development into adulthood. Whether you are exploring child development to grow in your current field, to enter a related field like education or health care, or to learn more about how to interact with the children in your own life, we all have something to bring to the table in the critical discussion of how to help kids and families thrive.
Assistant Professor
Office: MD-359 (San Marcos Campus)
helliottpham@palomar.edu
Phone: 760-744-1150 ext. 5569
Part-Time Faculty
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Email: kbreeding@palomar.edu
Phone: 760-744-1150 x5024
I started teaching at Palomar in 1986 after being invited to speak as a guest lecturer on the dynamics of incest families for CHDV 145. After talking about how passionately I felt about parent education, I was invited to teach a 3-unit parenting class. After a while, I started teaching CHDV 115, then CHDV 104, CHDV 185, and CHDV 110. I have also taught CHDV 100, CHDV 101, CHDV 108 (previously known as Developmentally Appropriate Principles & Practices), and CHDV 145. I had the privilege of designing and then teaching CHDV 172 as well as CHDV 174 (previously known as Policies, Politics, and Ethics in Child Development). I love the diversity and depth of all the classes I teach.
I have spent my professional life in the fields of psychology and education, working to develop and nurture learning communities that promote the development of healthy, whole human beings. I have over 40 years of experience as a teacher, counselor, and leader in public schools. I have also taught at the college and university level for almost 33 years.
I maintain a small practice in individual and family psychotherapy, but spend most of my time training and consulting with districts in the areas of Social and Emotional Literacy, Conflict Resolution, and Inter-group Relationships.
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Site Supervisor, San Marcos ECELS
Email: lcasas@palomar
Phone: (760) 744-1150 x8135
I am so excited to join the Child Development and Education teaching team! My journey in Early Childhood Education began in 2007. I was working as an assistant teacher in a small family-owned program in Escondido while continuing to take Child Development courses here at Palomar. My experience includes working as a lead teacher and later gained experience working with multiple school districts, a city program, and eventually returned to Palomar as a Site Supervisor for the ECE Lab School—a role I’ve proudly held since 2017. Supporting families, children, and staff as they grow and learn has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
In 2010, I earned my Associate of Arts (AA) in Liberal Studies from Palomar College and transferred to California State University San Marcos, where I received my Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Human Development with an emphasis in Children’s Services in 2012. After a short break, I went on to complete my Master of Arts (MA) in Early Childhood Education in 2014 at Pacific Oaks College. Following my MA, I gained valuable experience as a student teacher at Miramar Community College, co-teaching night classes, before focusing on my transition into supervisory roles. Returning to Palomar as Site Supervisor renewed my passion for teaching at the college level, and I’m thrilled to now share that passion with students in the classroom.
Beyond the world of ECE, I’ve been married to my husband, Jose, since 2011, and together we have a wonderful daughter who keeps us both busy and entertained. As a family, we love to travel, especially on road trips, and have set a goal of visiting all 50 states. We also enjoy off-roading in the desert and camping whenever we get the chance.
I look forward to connecting with all of you and sharing both my educational journey and real-world experiences as we work together in the CHDV program
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Email: dcecil@palomar.edu
Phone 760-744-1150 x2206
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Email: kdiaz@palomar.edu
Phone: 760-744-1150 Ext. 5648
I have worked as a Preschool Teacher, Camp Director or Elementary Teacher for over 20 years. While earning her Master’s Degree from Cal State San Marcos, she focused on language and literacy development. I trained in the Orton-Gillingham method, a dyslexia intervention program for elementary students. I am passionate about Restorative Justice practices to create a caring classroom environment. Beyond that, she connects the arts and movement wherever possible in the curriculum to engage young people in learning.
As a Palomar Adjunct Faculty, I am thrilled to help students discover the many career paths connected to Child Development.
I have lived in nearly every quadrant of the United States and a few locations overseas with my Marine husband and two children. Now that he is retired, we call San Diego home.
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Email: afulgium@palomar.edu
Phone: 760-744-1150 x5012
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, I discovered my passion for working with children in high school. This led me to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Park University, and later, a master’s degree in human development, with an emphasis in infant/toddler development from Pacific Oaks College. Through the years, I’ve had the opportunity to provide care to children in a variety of settings: Head Start/Early Head Start, private childcare, military childcare, and state preschool. From these experiences, I’ve gained a love for the Head Start program and its whole family approach to school readiness. I’ve been a preschool and toddler teacher, mentor teacher/coach, and center director. I’m a new member of Palomar’s child development department, and it’s been a joy to work with students around topics I’m so passionate about.
I’ve been in California for almost 15 years, and I absolutely love the San Diego area. Beach walks at the Oceanside beach are a favorite weekend activity, and exploring all San Diego has to offer. If I’m not at the beach or checking out local coffee shops, you can find me in the gym. Lifting weights has been a lifelong pleasure.
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Email: ahill2@palomar.edu
Phone: 760-566-6882
As a former Palomar College student, it is a joy and privilege to teach within the Child Development department and be apart of this amazing campus community. I’ve been an instructor here since 2012, and I also teach at several other colleges and universities.
Prior to teach at the college level, I taught typically-developing preschoolers, as well as those with special needs. I also worked as a tutor in human development and as a student improvement program coordinator at an elementary school in Escondido. In addition to this, I spent five years as a private childcare provider for a military family with three young children. I am passionate about working with students, educators and families. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to do this in a variety of capacities.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy leading online and community trainings through my website, https://www.theprofmom.com/ . I also recently authored my first book, Growing Pains: A Parent’s Guide to Child Development, which will be available November 2019.
In 2016, my husband and I welcomed our daughter, Emery, and then had our son, JT, just 14 months later! As I transitioned into the parent role, I moved into teaching primarily online, allowing me to continue in a job that I love. In my free time, I enjoy riding bikes with my family, listening to audiobooks, and taking dance classes.
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Coordinator, Palomar’s Early Childhood Education Lab School
Email tholthaus@palomar.edu
Phone: 760-744-1150 x5542
Adjunct Professor in Child Development and Education
Email: jmanger@palomar.edu
I am passionate about creating educational environments that exude joy and prioritize the well-being and development of students. I believe schools should serve as hubs of inspiration, where natural curiosity is not only embraced but also nurtured. Over the past decade, my commitment to this philosophy has manifested through the implementation of Project-Based Learning, a dynamic approach that empowers students to engage in authentic, creative projects, bridging the walls of the classroom and the outside world.
Recently appointed as a part-time faculty member at Palomar College, I have the privilege of instructing courses that embody my educational ethos: Child Development 101: Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children and Education 172: Teaching in a Diverse Society. With over two decades of experience in the field, I hold a Master’s Degree in General and Special Education from Bank Street College in New York City.
My journey in education commenced as a special education teacher in an inclusive classroom at PS 8 in Brooklyn, eventually evolving into diverse roles as a teacher, administrator, and consultant across the United States and abroad in Ethiopia, Kenya, and China. In 2013, I relocated to San Diego, becoming a founding teacher at High Tech Elementary North County. Currently, alongside my role at Palomar College, I serve as a Curriculum Coordinator at Kids By The Sea Preschool.
Equity is a cornerstone of my educational philosophy and was a driving force behind my decision to enter the teaching profession. This commitment continues to motivate my contributions to the field of education.
Residing in Encinitas, California, with my wife and two children aged 11 and 14, I find immense joy in the beauty of the San Diego coastline. The untamed Pacific Ocean, coupled with serene sunsets, serves as a constant source of inspiration. For me, nothing encapsulates joy more profoundly than challenging the waves and sharing moments of wonder with my family.
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Email: jmellor@palomar.edu
Phone: (760) 744-1150 x5568
Dr. Mellor has a background in educational psychology and has spent her career examining human development from a systems-thinking and holistic approach. She has taught courses in education, psychology and human development at the University of Arizona, Pima Community College, Palomar College, Umpqua Community College, MiraCosta, and CSUSM. Early childhood education (ECE) has always been a passion and Dr. Mellor believes when children are able to realize their true potential, they can accomplish incredibly sophisticated tasks. She believes ECE is the most important sector in our nation. In our ever-changing digital world, it is not far-fetched to estimate that a good portion of future career opportunities have yet to be invented. Preparing children to navigate the unknown requires quality care from quality educators. Dr. Mellor also believes it is impossible for educators to provide quality care if they don’t care for themselves – we can’t pour from an empty cup. When Dr. Mellor isn’t teaching, she’s helping educators, families and children enhance their overall health and well-being with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine at her energy medicine practice, HealingLux, located in Poway.
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Email: bhammons@palomar.edu
Phone: 760-744-1150 x2206
Part-Time Faculty, Child Development
Email: jcrosthwaitevanschoik@palomar.edu
Phone: (760) 744-1150 x5566
I work part-time for Palomar, CSUSM, and a few other community Colleges. I have taught children ages 0-12, managed a variety of educational programs, and taught adults in the child development field on Camp Pendleton.
Academic Department Assistant (ADA)
Tessa Alvarado
Phone: 760-744-1150 x2206