¡Hola! My name is "Señor" Josh Destein and I am a Spanish III and IV teacher at Deer Lakes High School. I have taught various levels of Spanish at Deer Lakes since 2001. Prior to Deer Lakes, I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and a Minor in International Studies from the Pennsylvania State University in 1999. I spent one year living and studying at the thirteenth century Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. I also attended the University of Pittsburgh to earn my teaching certification.
I truly love teaching the Spanish language and culture. I enjoy sharing personal experiences with the Spanish language, my travel experiences, and the importance of learning Spanish and languages in general. My adventures and studies abroad include Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Perú, Spain, Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, Italy, France, Belgium, Sweden, and Hungary. My overall goal as a world language teacher is help guide my students in becoming global citizens in this very competitive world.
I have been a West Deer resident since 2004. I have a passion for traveling, aviation, playing ping-pong, bike riding, and being an AFS host parent to international students. I have hosted students from Spain, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, and Denmark.
Spain trip 2024!
Perú Trip 2015!
Spain Trip 2013!
Señor Destein visits a Costa Rican classroom!
Señor Destein takes flying lessons!
Señor Destein explores downtown Pittsburgh on his bicycle!
Señor Destein shows off his ping-pong skills!
Señor Destein is the Deer Lakes High School Assistant Swim Coach! Go Lancers!
Since 2004, I have planned, organized, and led trips to Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, five wonderful trips to Spain, and an adventurous trip to Perú in 2015. In June of 2017, I organized a nine-day trip to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands.
Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands Trip of 2017!
Señor Destein and his friends from around the world!
(Can you find Señor?)
Señor Destein hosts international students with AFS
What is AFS? AFS stands for American Field Service and it is a high school exchange program under the U.S. Department of State. AFS students come to the United States from more than ninety countries so they can be part of the American culture and attend high school here. They also share their own culture while in America. For seventy years, AFS has brought international students and host families together so they can experience a lifetime of rewards of intercultural exchange. The AFS global family includes over 420,000 people worldwide.
Señor Destein hosts Sergio from Spain!
During the 2017-2018 school year, I was honored and proud to be an AFS host father to Sergio. He came to Deer Lakes High School from Madrid, Spain and spent his year here as a sophomore. During his school year, he was a proud member of the Deer Lakes boys soccer team and swim team.
Señor Destein hosts a student from Finland
In February of 2019, I hosted my second AFS student from Finland. He began his year at North Catholic High School and transferred to Deer Lakes High School by April to finish his junior year here in the United States.
Señor Destein hosts Jorge from Spain!
During the 2019-2020 school year, I was honored and proud to be an AFS host father to Jorge, Sergio's younger brother, from Madrid, Spain. Jorge spent his sophomore year here at Deer Lakes High School. Jorge was a proud member of the Deer Lakes boys soccer team.
Señor Destein hosts a student from Germany.
During the 2019-2020 school year, I was the AFS host parent to a student from Germany. He was a sophomore at North Catholic High School.
Señor Destein hosts Marcell from Hungary!
During the 2021-2022 school year, I was yet again honored and proud to be an AFS host father to seventeen-year-old Marcell from Hungary. He attended North Catholic High School as a sophomore.
Señor Destein hosts Nikolai (Niko) from Norway!
During the 2022-2023 school year, I once again was honored and proud to be the host father to seventeen-year-old Nikolai from Norway. He attended Deer Lakes High School as a junior. Niko was a proud member of the Deer Lakes Lancers football team and track and field team!
Señor Destein hosts Simon from Denmark!
During the 2024-2025 school year, I continue to be a host parent. This time, I am hosting sixteen-year old Simon from Denmark. He is currently a Deer Lakes junior. He is a member of the boys soccer team. He plans to join the swim team and play volleyball this year.
Here are some of my AFS host sons!
Sergio from Spain!
Jorge from Spain!
Marcell from Hungary!
Niko from Norway!
Simon from Denmark!
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
-Nelson Mandela
“You live a new life for every new language you speak.”
-Czech proverb
“To have another language is to possess a second soul.”
-Charlemagne
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”
-Frank Smith
“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.”
-Rita Mae Brown
SPANISH NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
(LA SOCIEDAD HONORARIA HISPANICA):
The name of this organization is the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica. The purpose of this Society is to recognize high achievement in Spanish by students of secondary schools and to promote continuity of interest in Hispanic studies. Each unit of the Society is designated as a Chapter. The Deer Lakes Chapter is called Rosalia de Castro (1837-1885). Spanish teachers of this Society belong to the national organization of the American Association of the Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) which was established in 1953. The Deer Lakes Chapter was established in 1998 by Señora Margaret Carlson. New members must have an overall 3.0 grade point average (75%) and have maintained a 3.60 grade point average (90%) in Spanish. Sponsors (Señor Destein) will also consider character, leadership, seriousness of purpose, cooperation, honesty, and service and commitment to others in the criteria for selection into the Society. The student must be enrolled in Spanish at the time of induction. A Spanish Honor Society president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary will be voted into office in the A.P Spanish class.
More information about the Spanish National Honor Society can be found at: https://aatsp.site-ym.com/
(In addition to academics, cheating, overall class behavior and attitude, and other school discipline infractions are reasons to not be inducted into the Spanish National Honor Society.)
