Her Story
About Kathy
MS. Kathy S. Robinson, Turner is a lifelong educator, mentor, and community advocate based in Richmond, California, with more than four decades of experience dedicated to teaching and human development. For 41 years, she shaped young minds across five different school districts, working with learners ranging from infants and preschool children to college students and adults. She holds degrees in Behavioral Science, Early Childhood Education, Sales and Marketing, and Management and Supervision, which she has intentionally applied throughout her career to better understand what truly motivates people to learn, grow, and succeed.
Her academic foundation at John F. Kennedy University was rigorous and highly experiential, requiring deep engagement beyond the classroom. Coursework included extensive research and 20-page analytical assignments, along with required field experiences across the full spectrum of human life settings—from birthing centers to hospitals and mortuaries—ensuring a comprehensive understanding of human development. Through this training, she mastered task analysis, the process of breaking complex skills into manageable steps, which she applied not only in education—such as teaching foundational life skills to young children—but also throughout her personal life. Her attention to detail and discipline have extended into personal success as well, including maintaining an 800 credit score since the age of 30 through consistent financial responsibility and organization.
Now retired from full-time teaching, Ms. Robinson, Turner continues to serve her community through volunteer work supporting homeless and underserved populations. She remains active in sharing her knowledge and life lessons through online writing, with a focus on encouragement, empowerment, and personal growth. A strong advocate for wellness and preventive living, she emphasizes the importance of health as a foundation for a fulfilling life. As a member of the Healthy Black Seniors Program, she promotes healthy eating, regular exercise, and natural approaches to wellness, encouraging others to prioritize their well-being and live with intention and care.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kathy
01What do you attribute your success to?
My grandmother planted a seed in me when I was young that has guided my entire life. She told me: before you do anything, watch the people that do it for 30 days. You can watch one or two, or a whole group, but watch them, because that's how you learn and make your decision on what you're going to do. When I was in 7th grade, I watched my friends smoking and drinking - I watched them burn holes in their clothes with cigarettes, throw up in toilet bowls from drinking too much, and the ones using drugs couldn't even remember what they did but wanted to do it again. I thought, that's messed up, and I never did any of it. I'm 75 now, and most of my friends are dead from those addictive behaviors. My grandmother also told me to always be a leader and not a follower. Those two things influenced my life completely. Because I never did those things, I'm healthy today. I've learned to take care of my body, eat fruits and vegetables, exercise, and not give my power to somebody else who doesn't care about us. I've had to train myself to want something different, and once you do, you can't even taste that fast food and grease anymore.
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