Ms. Lisbeth Magdaleno-Garcia starts her first year of teaching here at the Owatonna High School. Magdaleno-Garcia has spent the last two years student teaching at OHS and was attending Minnesota State University, Mankato getting her degree in Family and Consumer Science Education. Starting in the spring of 2021 she would come to OHS for her clinical hours for school. Her favorite thing about teaching is that she is never bored. Something is always happening and everyday is different, the students also make it fun.

Becoming a teacher, was a dream for  Ms.Magdaleno-Garcia. She said,“ I wanted to become a teacher because in my parents eyes, teachers are viewed as heroes just because they never got to have an education so I just wanted to be a hero for them and myself.” Some things she is looking forward to this year include building a connection with her students, finally having her own room, being a student teacher, and starting her future here. 

Ms.Magdaleno-Garcia hopes to impact her students in a way that her youth service and leadership students learn. Magdaleno-Garcia said, “ I want to be a leader and be a bigger person and consider other people. That goes along with any of my other classes, I hope to just teach them life skills that they’ll need in the future.” 

One of her students, senior Morgan Carrigan said, “I really like her as a teacher along with how she makes her students feel comfortable,  and my favorite thing is that she buys fidgets for the class so we’re always doing something”. 

Ms.Magdaleno is excited and prepared to start her first year here at OHS.  She wants to encourage more participation in students. Ms. Magdaleno-Garcia said, ”As a first year teacher and any other teachers, I spend a lot of time outside prepping for class. When I make a lesson in my free time, I want students to be as excited about it as I am.” 

This year she will be teaching youth service and leadership, fashion and merchandising, foods, and interior design. Students will be able to find Ms.Magdaleno in room 124 during the school day.