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 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. 

  • A 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!