From Corona to Indio, they are best.

These four are the 2025 Riverside County Teachers of the Year, chosen for the title from a pool of nearly 20,000 educators across the county.

Surprised on campus with the news by Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez over the past few weeks, they will now represent the county in the 2025 California Teacher of the Year contest.

In neighboring San Bernardino County, the year’s top teachers have not yet been chosen, according to the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office.

Here’s a look at this year’s Riverside County winners.

Bob Mauger

Mauger, who teaches automotive technology at Corona High School, loves it when a student suddenly grasps a concept when diagnosing of fixing a problem under a vehicle’s hood, a Riverside County Office of Education news release states.

His education career began with him working with emotionally disturbed students, but the passion for mechanical repair that he learned from his dad eventually led him to the auto shop classroom.

Today, his students learn technical skills, but also confidence, the work ethic and how to be a good person, according to the release.

“It is the commitment of my students who give up extra time on weekends and after hours to makethis program successful,” Mauger told students after learning of the award. “I wouldn’t be getting this award without you.”

Misty McBee

Like building an animatronic, McBee built the program for her school’s new Garner Holt Animatronics Lab.

Now the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics teacher at Harvest Hill STEAM Academy in the Menifee Union School District feels she’s achieved a dream, the release states.

She created the curriculum, rounded up volunteers for supplies and recruited students to fashion what’s now one of the middle school’s most popular electives. Her students learn to solve real-life problems while practicing collaboration and creativity, according to the release. McBee also urges youths to get involved in the community, for example, by adopting pets. She also leads the optional — but popular — Saturday STEAM Academy on campus.

“I just love what I do and working with all of my students,” she said after the superintendent’s surprise visit. “Everyone here just makes this job so fun and actually very easy sometimes. So to me, all of this just feels like a normal day.”

Amy Torres

Torres, who teaches math and Advance Placement Statistics at Indio High School, wants students to learn from their mistakes, not be ashamed of them.

She began her career as a long-term substitute but now has a strong resume. She chairs the math department and is an adviser for the National Honors Society and California Scholarship Federation.

She recently earned a supplementary authorization in computer science, the release states. And she hopes to bring Advanced Placement computer science classes to campus.

“It is a privilege to work here, and I enjoy every minute of it,” Torres said after getting word of the honor. “It’s my goal to engage students, help them be successful and to learn how to give back.”

Amanda Zonker

Zonker does a lot more than just teach history/social science and English/language arts at the Riverside STEM Academy.

She co-founded a weekly student-produced news program called STEM News, re-designed student government, and coordinated pep rallies to build campus culture, according to the release. She also coaches Science Olympiad, Lego Robotics and is a leader working with students on National History Day projects.

“I love what I do, and you guys make it great,” she told her class after receiving the recognition. “So, thank you so much to my students.”