Kathleen Yates holds a dual Bachelors degree from The Cleveland Institute of Art and Case Western Reserve University and a Masters degree in Education from Cleveland State University. While at The Art Institute, she majored in jewelry and silversmithing with as minor in printmaking. She taught art in the Cleveland Public Schools for 35 years, retiring in 2009. As an art instructor, Kathleen taught kindergarten through the twelfth grades, with most of her experience at the high school level.

Kathleen had many accomplishments in her profession as an art teacher, which includes managing the Fine Arts departments at Audubon Junior high school, John Hay and John Adams high schools. As a Department Chairperson, Kathleen instituted a Fine Arts Festival which included artist demonstrations, guest artists, chalk festivals, art exhibits, theater and dance productions, and concerts. She received many grants for these events including The Chalk Festival project that evolved over time into an All-City art event. She also worked in partnership with The Cleveland Clinic Foundation while at John Hay High School, planning and installing an Annual Art Exhibit, Black History Month Poster Exhibit, and instituting an art internship for students at The Clinic.

After residing in Cleveland Heights, Ohio for 40 years, she and her husband, Paul relocated to Charlotte, North Caroline, where she continues to work in her home studio.