She later taught art at the University of Oregon as well as at high schools in Corvallis and Seattle, Washington before her death in 1965.

Arthur Wesley Dow described her as "a person of dignity and presence, very quiet in manner, but firm and positive in her opinions".

[2][4] Prior to moving to New York for school, Kerns taught in Corvallis, Lebanon, and Eugene, Oregon.

[4][5] Kerns taught art in Seattle high schools for fourteen years, after receiving her degree from Columbia.

Kerns returned to teach at the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

[4][5] She was an innovative teacher, being a mentor to University of Oregon professors, she would do things like have her class paint to music to try new styles.

Working with Arthur Wesley Dow, Alexander Archipenko contributed to her interest in color and shape relationships.