CORONA – The prospect of becoming a teacher never entered Bob Mauger’s mind. After many stops and starts exploring various career options, everything changed after he volunteered at his daughter’s elementary school. Many years later, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, entered Bob’s automotive technology classroom at Corona High School to surprise him with the news that he is a 2025 Riverside County Teacher of the Year.

“Bob shows his students how to focus on resiliency and the importance of building relationships and community connections,” said Dr. Edwin Gomez, during the surprise visit. “His resourcefulness in securing industry-standard tools and equipment helps ensure that students have what they need to succeed, secure jobs, and overcome personal challenges.”

“It is the commitment of my students who give up extra time on weekends and after hours to make this program successful. I wouldn’t be getting this award without you,” Bob said to his students who were gathered together for the surprise visit. “When I started, I knew the job was about preparing students for careers in automotive technology. But, I’ve come to realize that connecting them to the community to help those who might not otherwise be able to afford car repairs was important.”

About Bob Mauger

Bob Mauger describes his teaching career as increasingly rewarding with each passing year—especially as more students make the shift from his classroom to their own career journeys. His greatest satisfaction comes from witnessing the “aha” moments from students—especially when diagnosing and fixing issues under the hood of automobiles. 

While pursuing an online degree in social and criminal justice with hopes of becoming a probation officer, he discovered an interest in child development. He started his career in education as a paraeducator working with emotionally disturbed students, but his lifelong passion for hands-on work and mechanical repair, passed down from his father, led to earning a career and technical education credential. Bob’s expertise in restoring cars has led to the restoration of the automotive technology program at Corona High School, which is not only preparing students with technical skills, but with life skills like confidence, a strong work ethic, and how to be a good human.

Bob’s colleagues describe him as “a consummate professional with the desire to make his auto technology classes not only industry standard—but the best in the nation.” Another colleague describes how Bob’s “high core values and excellent communication skills have led to his auto shop becoming a platform for connecting students to learning.”

Bob earned his bachelor’s degree in social and criminal justice with a minor in child development from Ashford University and his master’s degree in teaching and learning from Brandman University.

2025 Riverside County Teachers of the Year

Amy Torres
Mathematics
Indio High School
Desert Sands USD

Amanda Zonker
History/Social Science, English/Language Arts
Riverside STEM Academy
Riverside USD

Bob Mauger
Automotive Technology
Corona High School
Corona-Norco USD

The final 2025 Riverside County Teachers of the Year will be revealed in an upcoming surprise visit. Once named, all four teachers of the year will represent Riverside County in the 2025 California Teacher of the Year competition. Recent Riverside County teachers selected as California Teachers of the Year include:

• 2022 – Nichi Aviña, Cielo Vista Charter School, Palm Springs USD
• 2021 – Keisa Brown, University Heights Middle School, Riverside USD, and Allison Cyr, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School, Desert Sands USD
• 2020 – Brenda Chavez-Barreras, Good Hope Elementary School, Perris ESD
• 2019 – Dr. Angel Mejico, El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD
• 2018 – Dr. Brian McDaniel, Painted Hills Middle School, Palm Springs USD
• 2017 – Shaun Bunn, Ethan A. Chase Middle School, Romoland School District 
• 2016 – Michelle Cherland, Carrillo Ranch Elementary School, Desert Sands USD
• 2014 – Jessica Pack, James Workman Middle School, Palm Springs USD

The Riverside County Teachers of the Year are selected from nearly 20,000 educators in the county. The rigorous application process requires candidates to spend time reflecting on, and carefully defining, their teaching philosophy. The county teachers of the year are selected based on nominations by teachers, principals, and school district administrators throughout the county. Applications are then submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education, where a selection committee reviews the applications of each district candidate and selects semi-finalists. The selection committee then conducts interviews and site visits to select the final four candidates before the county superintendent announces the Riverside County Teachers of the Year.