Bob Mauger
Teaching wasn’t a consideration as Bob Mauger embarked on his career path.
There were fits and starts before zeroing in on pursuing a degree in social and criminal justice, becoming a probation officer being the goal.
But then, as many parents do, he stepped into his daughter’s elementary school classroom as a parent volunteer. That fired a new synapse, an interest in childhood development.
He started teaching as a paraeducator working with the emotionally disturbed population while he pursued his master’s degree in teaching and learning.
Continuing his evolution, Mauger decided to apply a lifelong passion instilled by his father for hands-on work in mechanical repair, adding a technical education credential. And a successful career path was formed.
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 also with life skills, including confidence, a strong work ethic, and how to be a good human.
And he has done this so well that he is one of only five educators to be honored as 2025 California Teacher of the Year.
He is described by one colleague as, “a consummate professional with the desire to make his auto technology classes not only industry standard, but the best in the nation.” Another adds that Mauger’s “High core values and excellent communication skills have led to his auto shop becoming a platform for connecting students to learning.”
Even before this recognition, it was a year ago, that the Sentinel profiled a humble Mauger, putting these described attributes into action.
Following the death of his friend, retired Riverside County Fire Captain Shane Porter, Mauger learned that a Porter family project to restore a dilapidated, old Jeepster had stopped with Shane’s passing.
Shane Porter had obtained the Jeepster for his wife, paramedic Tigger Porter, and their sons Tim and Michael to all work together on the restoration. That ceased with Capt. Porter’s illness and passing.
Bob Mauger had an idea. Make the restoration a classwork project. And about 22 students jumped in with no hesitation.
“I think teenagers sometimes get a bad rap, and a lot of my students come from rough backgrounds, Mauger told the story’s author, Don Ray. “And for me to build positive connections with them, and to build those connections with the community and to have them or show them how rewarding it is to do nice things for other people, that’s what this was.”
“They thought it was just another project at first, but once we got into it, and once they learned more about the family, it (was) like they became family.”
And that is the educator the State of California is honored as one of its finest.
In recognition, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez observed, “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.”
Bob Mauger is the second CNUSD educator to be recognized as California Teacher of the Year. Dr. Angel Mejico, who has taught visual arts and the Art Academy at El Cerrito Middle School for two dozen years, was honored in 2019.
For More Education News Visit www.zapinin.com/education.