Erica Yates – Director of In-School Programming

Erica has been involved with First Tee – Colorado Rocky Mountains since 2011 when she brought Read ‘n’ Swing into her classroom at Barrett Elementary. After seeing the impact First Tee had on the kids in the community, she decided to leave education and give non-profit life a chance.

Erica attended the University of Wyoming where she studied Elementary Education. With a master’s degree in Reading and Literacy- reading is her first love. If she’s not working, hanging out with friends and pets, or checking out a new restaurant, she’s probably reading.

Bringing her expertise in reading, literacy, and education she was able to take a great program and make it excellent. Serving over 10,000 kids annually throughout Colorado she is grateful to be making an impact at a larger scale.

With limited golf knowledge when she started in 2014, Erica would be overheard saying things like “golf player” and “player with loyalties gets to go first”. Leaning into the awkwardness of starting a new job and sport she took it in stride. Eight years later, now a master level coach, you’ll catch her playing golf with her Monday night league, occasionally beating our CEO Paula Purifoy.