Sunset and sailboats at Lake Evans. (Ken Crawford)
Friday Gazette: May 30, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! I hope all is well with you. It’s almost June, and we are getting into longer days and later sunsets. A warm evening walk around Lake Evans is just about a perfect Riverside experience, and the return of the sailboats makes it a bit more magical. Sailing season officially starts with the Riverside Regatta on June 7. You can contact the Riverside Community Sailing Program for information on sailing lessons for all ages.
UCR and San Bernardino Launch Tuition-Free Residency to Tackle Teacher Shortage
The one-year program offers full tuition, a $32,000 stipend, mentorship, and a guaranteed job—training diverse educators to meet urgent staffing needs in local schools.
The University of California, Riverside and San Bernardino school district are launching a tuition-free credential program to address the critical teacher shortage. The one-year residency offers full tuition coverage, a living stipend, and guaranteed employment for successful participants.
Driving the news: Nearly 75% of U.S. school districts struggle to hire qualified educators, according to the National Center for Education Statistics School Pulse Panel.
The program aims to fill 35 teaching positions in its inaugural year, with another 35 planned for 2026.
Why it matters: The initiative targets high-need areas like special education, dual language instruction, math, and science, while also focusing on increasing diversity in the teaching workforce.
Participants commit to teaching within the San Bernardino school district after completing the program.
By the numbers: Residents will receive a stipend valued at approximately $32,000, including direct financial support and payment to mentor teachers.
The big picture: The residency program, funded by a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing grant, aims to create passionate, committed educators who will remain in the district long-term.
The program begins this summer, coinciding with an expected 190 retirements and resignations in the district.
What's next: Interested candidates can find more information and apply through the UCR School of Education website.
Riverside to Host Inaugural Community Aerospace Expo Saturday
Event at municipal airport aims to connect residents with high-paying career opportunities in growing local industry.
The refreshed facade at the Riverside Municipal Airport. (Ken Crawford)
Riverside Municipal Airport will showcase aerospace career opportunities at its inaugural Community Aerospace Expo this Saturday. The free event aims to connect local residents with the growing industry and address critical workforce shortages.
Driving the news: Councilmember Steven Robillard is spearheading the expo to raise the airport's profile and promote aerospace careers in Riverside.
The event features interactive exhibits, aviation simulators, and static aircraft displays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Why it matters: Riverside's aerospace ecosystem offers high-paying jobs in a sector facing significant shortages.
The industry currently needs 34,000 pilots for major airlines, with commercial pilots earning an average of $211,000 per year.
The big picture: The expo is part of a broader effort to position Riverside as a leader in aerospace development.
Career opportunities extend beyond piloting to include aircraft technicians, designers, and airport operations specialists.
What's next: The event aims to engage students from communities historically underrepresented in STEM fields.
This initiative supports the goal of making aerospace industry growth inclusive and sustainable for future generations.
Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
Boots is a sweet, shy girl who raised seven puppies and comforted many more while in foster care. Now it’s her turn to be cared for. She’ll thrive in a quiet, patient home with someone committed to helping her feel safe and loved. Boots really comes out of her shell around puppies—so if you already have one, she might be the perfect match. Or adopt both a puppy and Boots for double the joy: a playful companion for you, a comforting presence for her, and a gentle role model for your pup. What a deal! If you’re interested in meeting Boots, email fostercare@petsadoption.org.
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