Mrs. Cortés

Welcome to Honors Biology! It's going to be a great year!

• I am thrilled to be joining NDA this year! I have been teaching science for 13 years, beginning my teaching career at Enka Middle School and happily returning in 2022, after moving away and teaching Biology in PA for 5 years.

• I earned my 1st degree from Brevard College in Philosophy and Humanities, and my Comprehensive (6-12) Science Teaching certification from UNC Asheville.

• I am available by email (joann.cortes@bcsemail.org) and for pre-arranged extra help in the afternoons or mornings, as well as during Study Lunches.

• For Biology, you will need: 

  • A bound Lab Notebook with graph paper and at least 100 pages. Some available on amazon include this Student Lab Notebook, this Lab Notebook, this Bullet Lab Notebook, or this Grid Notebook. 

  • An optional  3 ring binder--no bigger than 2" with 6 dividers

  • A charged computer (bring your charger to class)

  • Pens/Pencils/Highlighters/Colored Pencils

• Some things about me:

  • I moved to Western North Carolina in 1997 and consider the Appalachian mountains home.

  • I love to spend my time outside of school traveling, bird watching, playing soccer, eating and cooking with my husband and 2 teens, and cuddling with my cats and my little dog. I also love to sing and play piano, guitar, and old-time banjo.

  • I can understand 4 languages, but am only good at speaking 2 of them

  • I am a new NC State Mom! My daughter started college August 2025!