North Tapps Principal Pat Keaton ends a career spanning two decades

The Dieringer School District is by no means a large district today, but back when recently retired Principal Pat Keaton got his start, it was even smaller.

"Staff at that time was only nine teachers so we taught multiple subjects," he said of his first job at North Tapps Middle School more than two decadesago, breaking into a wide smile.

Trained to teach History at Western Washington University, Keaton found himself also in front of the school's technology class as well as teaching typing. And every now and again, Keaton said he'd have to take the shop teacher to lunch to get him to fix one of the old manual typewriters so class could continue.