Tom Destino

Accomplished educator, researcher, and content/technical writer Dr. Tom Destino brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the World Languages Department. He will teach Spanish. 

Dr. Destino began his teaching career exactly 30 years ago as a professor at the University of California, Riverside. He would go on to spend eight years there before 19 more in college at Mars Hill University.  

Overall, his career has focused on language teaching and teacher education, with a specialty in English as a second language. In addition, he has engaged in cross-cultural research, particularly with Mexican immigrant families in western North Carolina. 

Tom received his B.A. in Spanish and Education from Niagara University before obtaining a masters in Spanish Language and Linguistics from Wayne State University, and finally a Ph.D. in Foreign and Second Language Education/Linguistics from Ohio State University. 

He is originally from Niagara Falls, N.Y., and lives now in Weaverville, N.C. Tom’s wife, Charlotte, is an audiologist who works for the state of North Carolina. The couple have three adult children: Alex, Anna, and Max.