The Chime Workforce Scholarship recognizes high-achieving college students who are pursuing career and technical educational opportunities. This scholarship helps defray educational expenses while the student is enrolled in a certificate or associate degree workforce development program at a two-year college.

“At the Chime Scholars Foundation, we believe that career and technical education opens doors to financial progress and long-term opportunity. We’re proud to support students who are working hard to gain in-demand skills and build better futures for themselves and their families,” said Jeni Izuel, president of the Chime Scholars Foundation.

Harris is one of 200 students to receive the Chime Workforce Scholarships.

“We are thrilled to launch this new program and award hardworking students with Chime Workforce Scholarships,” Amanda Karpinski Gorman, interim director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, said. “These scholarships support students pursuing career and technical education at two-year colleges, and we look forward to see all they go on to accomplish.”

The scholarship provided by Chime will help students cover the costs of tuition, fees, and other educational expenses associated with completing their degree or certificate program.

About Chime Scholars Foundation

The Chime Scholars Foundation (CSF) helps everyday people unlock financial progress and build a better future through higher education – whether that’s college, workforce training, or trade school. Learn more about SCF and Chime at Chime.com.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academicachievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

The post MSJC Student, Andre Harris, Receives Chime Workforce Scholarship appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

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.

The post Riverside County Educator Named California Teacher Of The Year appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.