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- 1947-49: Highest scorer to play basketball for Martin Methodist prior to 1949

- 1949-50: Member of the Basketball team at University of Chattanooga

- 1951-52: Earned Masters Degree in Education, George Peabody College

- 1952-54: Instructor, Third Army Leadership School, Fort Jackson, South Carolina

- 1954-56: Coach of High School Basketball, High School Baseball, and the Junior High Football Teams and an educator at Harriman City Schools

- 1956-66: Principal and superintendent of Rockwood City Schools

- 1957: Earned Education Specialist Degree, George Peabody College

- 1966-68: Earned Doctor of Education Degree and Served as School Planning Consultant, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

- 1968-93: Superintendent of Cleveland City Schools.  Under the guidance of Dr. Yates, numerous honors and recognition were given to the school system: National School of Excellence Award, several state Teacher of the Year, School Board of the Year, All State Board representation, Governor's A Plus Schools Award, and Tennessee Superintendent of the Year Award (1988)

- 1993: The City of Cleveland named a new school in Dr. Yates honor, The Donald P. Yates Primary School