@ Mrs. Magnin

@ Mrs. Magnin

Welcome to the Art Department Esperanza students and families. I was born and raised on the rustic New Jersey shore, in a tiny town on the Barnegat Bay. The waterfront was where I first discovered my love of the fine arts at an early age.  The "Old Barney" lighthouse to the right was the subject of my first oil painting in middle school!

At the age of 14, I began taking art lessons every Saturday morning  at the Island Heights Studio of Art, in Island Heights, New Jersey. My teacher was a wonderful professional artist named Mr. Robert Toth. His inspiring studio was literally my home-away-from-home, and I still keep in touch with Mr. Toth to this day! Check out some of his "Video Art Talks" below to meet the artist who truly inspired me to become your art teacher many years ago! 

Teaching Philosophy

Throughout my 16 years as an art teacher in PYLUSD, I have created a  teaching philosophy for my students inspired by my days at Island Heights Studio.  I strive to provide all students with  a peaceful and inspired journey into a world of creative possibilities, self-exploration, critical thinking skills, and advanced techniques. All levels of Esperanza's Art Classes also encourage students to enjoy learning within a safe and inclusive home-away-from-home experience.  

Education

I decided to leave the rustic waterfront where I grew up, and head to Philadelphia where I studied fine arts for two years at Tyler School of  Art, Temple University. I then transferred to UCLA, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Design. (I left the fine arts scene in Philly to explore the exciting Design scene in Los Angeles!) One highlight at UCLA was interning  with famed movie director Roger Corman at New Concorde Pictures in Los Angeles.  I was hired as a  concept sketch artist, where one of my sketches was copied exactly and made into a movie poster for "Raiders of the Sun." Check it out to the left!

After graduating from UCLA, I enjoyed spending the next decade working in Orange County advertising agencies, design, and art departments. After accepting an unexpected and  incredible opportunity to teach art, I decided to earn my teaching credential and Master of Education from National University; teaching art and design to young people is in fact the most wonderful occupation!

Personal & Professional Life

I joined the PYLUSD family in 2006, first student teaching at Esperanza under a fantastic master teacher, Marsha Linsley.  I then accepted a position at Travis Ranch Middle School, where I served as the Visual Art, Ceramics, and Yearbook Teacher, as well as the electives department chair. This year, I am thrilled to be starting my 8th year as Art Teacher for Esperanza high School!

My family is also an integral part of the PYLYSD family. We have lived in Placentia for the past 22 years, and we have two daughters who are Esperanza High School alumni; Shannon is a senior at San Francisco State University and Somer (graduated summa cum laude from UC Santa Barbara) is currently attending Northwestern University for her masters degree.