About Me

Bio Geek & Proud of It!

Copy of STEM Fellow pilot...aligned curriculum at SHS

Mrs. Bota-Thaxton at a Nanobiotechnology workshop, Cornell U

Current project 2019 : I am a proud mentor for our Environmental Activism Club! Our students presented at the Board of Education meeting Spring of 2019 to try to help make our district more green! Stay tuned for details.

Change in 2014: I am one of ten science teachers in the Hudson Valley who won a STEM Fellowship. This fellowship is supported by the Hudson Valley STEM Leadership Center,Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, NASA and Teachers College of Columbia. I look forward to bringing my new knowledge and fun science, tech, math and engineering activities to the classroom!

For more info, go to http://www.stemedcenter.org/fellowship.html.

Fav quotes:

"It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness"

-Chinese Proverb

"If we knew what we were doing it wouldn't be called science, would it?"

-Albert Einstein


Outside Interests

Although you guys may believe that I live at the school and just change in the morning (and there have been nights this was pretty close to the truth), in fact I have a few outside interests. I am a mom of a lovely third grader, Bella. I enjoy traveling, and plan to add as many stamps as possible to my passport. One of my favorite recent experiences was a dolphin training experience at SeaWorld Orlando!

I also enjoy reading, dancing, and have recently added yoga to the list. I love animals, and have owned everything from Siamese fighting fish, dogs, and a rabbit to a frog that wandered into the family car.

Educational background

I am a graduate of the College of Mount Saint Vincent, affectionately termed the Mount, located in Riverdale, NY. I received a Bachelors of Science in Biology and also completed the secondary education program. I have a Masters degree in Education with a concentration in Instructional Technology.

Professional experiences

In addition to experience in the classroom, I have continued to take educational courses, attend conferences and workshops.

Ongoing work

During the year, I coach Science Olympiad with other members of my department. We attend the C division Regionals every February to compete for states.I am also the Environmental Club's advisor.

Most recently

Fall 2017-18 New ELL teacher! My Spanish is slowly improving :)

Fall 2016: Teaching assistant on SPRINTT Polar research/Climate change course.

Summer 2015

Completed two week mentorship at Regeneron pharmaceuticals with work on the influenza virus!

Summer 2014

Began graduate coursework on STEM methods in the classroom. Preparing for research next summer at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Summer 2010

Attended an AP institute and ended up teaching AP for several years.


How to contact me

There are several ways you can reach me for any questions or problems you may have. Try these:

I look forward to hearing from you!