Kotelnicki previously worked as a STEM program manager at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams and as an adjunct instructor for its education department. She was also an adjunct instructor at Towson University in Maryland, an elementary school teacher and a reading teacher. She received a bachelor’s degree at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree from Towson University. Kotelnicki currently lives in Dalton with her husband, three children and a dog.