State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond on Tuesday named five educators as the 2025 California Teachers of the Year, and one hails from Riverside County.
Robert Mauger, a high school Career and Technical Education Transportation Automotive teacher at Corona High School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District, was tapped.
Thurmond praised all five educators.
“These remarkable teachers have a lasting impact on their students, equipping them with the skills needed for success. They serve as an inspiration and exemplify the exceptional work happening in California schools,” he said.
Mauger and the other four teachers are ambassadors of the profession and will serve as representatives of the state for the calendar year.
Mauger’s road to a career in education was not a straight line. In his younger years, he was interested in social and criminal justice with hopes of becoming a probation officer.
While working toward his degree, however, he discovered an interest in child development.
Mauger 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.
Mauger’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.
Mauger’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.”
One colleague described how Mauger’s “high core values and excellent communication skills have led to his auto shop becoming a platform for connecting students to learning.”
Mauger has described 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.
Presented by the California Department of Education and supported by the California Teachers of the Year Foundation, the California Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to honor outstanding teachers and encourage and inspire new teachers to enter the profession.
County offices of education nominate California Teachers of the Year applicants through their county-level competitions. The CDE selection committees review applications, evaluate teachers’ rapport with students, classroom environments, presentation skills, and teaching techniques, and interview the teachers. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction then selects the five California Teachers of the Year and the National Teacher of the Year nominee.
Here are the 2025 California Teachers of the Year:
Matthew Winheim, a middle school STEM Aviation and Mathematics teacher at Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy in the Palmdale Unified School District (Los Angeles County). Note: Thurmond nominated Winheim as California’s representative for the National Teacher of the Year competition. Winheim will compete against other state nominees, and the 2025 National Teacher of the Year will be announced in the spring.
Kristen LoPrell, a high school Mathematics and AP Calculus teacher at Grossmont High School in the Grossmont Union High School District (San Diego County).
Robert Mauger, a high school Career and Technical Education Transportation Automotive teacher at Corona High School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District (Riverside County).
Nicholas Westfall, a high school Physical Education teacher at Alexander Hamilton Senior High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles County).
Arby Jean Wolkov, a high school American Sign Language teacher at William Howard Taft Charter High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles County).
For more information on the award program, visit the CDE California Teachers of the Year web page. Visit the Teach California website for more information on becoming a teacher.
