About This Episode
Season 4. Episode 12.
In this episode of Education Insight, we celebrate the exceptional gradeschool teachers who go above and beyond to inspire their students. With over 300,000 teachers in California alone, we highlight two educators who have earned the highest honors for their dedication and impact.
Bob Mauger, a Career and Technical Education teacher at Corona High School, was recently recognized as the best teacher in California. In this episode, Mr. Mauger shares his journey from being a “room-dad” to becoming an award-winning teacher, making a difference not only through his teaching of auto repair but by shaping students into well-rounded individuals.
We also hear from Carla Hernandez, a sixth-grade math teacher at Golden Valley Middle School, who was named one of San Bernardino County’s top teachers. Ms. Hernandez shares her philosophy that teaching is a matter of life or death for students, emphasizing the importance of her role in their future success.
Join us as we honor these incredible educators and hear their stories of how they inspire, motivate, and change the lives of their students.
Featured Guest
Bob Mauger
Growing up, the prospect of becoming a teacher never entered my thoughts. Despite the influence of exceptional educators who made a profound impact on me, teaching wasn’t part of my initial plan. It wasn’t until volunteering at my daughter’s elementary school, after years of exploring different career avenues, that I stumbled upon my true calling. Working with students, especially in Special Education, sparked a passion within me. Seeing them experience those “Ah-ha” moments, where everything clicks, brought me tremendous fulfillment.
While pursuing an online degree in Social and Criminal Justice, with hopes of becoming a Juvenile Probation Officer, I found myself increasingly drawn to Child Development. This shift deepened my understanding of how children learn and process information. In 2010, I seized the opportunity to become a Paraeducator in an Intensive Intervention program for emotionally disturbed students. Here, I gained invaluable insights into supporting diverse needs. After several years in this role and completing my BA, I decided to pursue a career in teaching.
My lifelong passion for hands-on work and mechanical repair passed down from my father, led me to the automotive industry. Building on this background, I obtained a CTE credential in Transportation. Over the past eight years, I’ve transformed a struggling automotive program into a highly respected pathway for students entering the automotive industry. Through vehicle restoration projects and community engagement, I’ve earned national recognition for both my program and my students. In 2021, I was chosen to be the B’laster Corporation Instructor of the Year, a nationwide competition for all hands-on trade programs for secondary and post-secondary education put on through Tomorrow’s Technician magazine and Babcox Media. In 2023, a vehicle restoration project we completed for a family who lost their father brought us nationwide recognition on televised News programs, People Magazine, The Washington Post, and live interviews on News Max and The Jelly Clarkson Show.
Witnessing the growth of my program and enthusiasm of my students continually reinforces my dedication to teaching. Their willingness to go above and beyond for the program and their drive to give back to the community has made my program as successful as it is today. My greatest accomplishments in education are my students.
Interview Highlights
3:57 – Adrienne describes dual enrollment and its benefits.
7:15 – Adrienne speaks to how recent California mandates and initiatives may have influenced the growth of these new programs.
8:34 – Adrienne explains what research shows about the impact of dual enrollment on a student’s academic achievements or even their future success.
9:24 – Adrienne shares examples of dual enrollment activities that are taking place in our region and what is happening in the IE.
13:11 – Adrienne talks about strategies in place to make sure that equal opportunities are available for all students.
20:18 – Jorge explains how dual enrollment aligns with his role at Riverside County Unified School District.
21:28 – Jorge shares his experiences and thoughts on the current dual enrollment programs that are being offered at Riverside Unified School District.
23:32 – Jorge gives insight into how dual enrollment makes students career ready.
25:58 – Jorge describes what challenges students typically face in dual enrollment programs and how he addresses those issues.
32:43 – Jorge shares what he would like to see be the future of the dual enrollment program in his district and beyond.
36:31 – Special Feature: Avijeet Randhawa, 8th-Grader, Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona Norco Unified School District.
View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/
Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.
