Rockdale Career Academy's Assistant Principal, Chad Walker, has been named as the next head of the Newton College and Career Academy.

Walker will become the second NCCA principal and CEO after the Newton County Board of Education approved Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey's recommendation to bring him on board at Tuesday night's monthly meeting.

Walker has been with the RCA since 2008. He will be filling the vacancy at NCCA after James Woodard left to take the position of superintendent for Morgan County Charter School System.

"I am confident Mr. Walker will be dedicated and committed to the students, faculty, staff, business partners and the local community of the Newton College and Career Academy," Fuhrey said. "He has high expectations of the students and staff and intends to ensure all students are positioned to achieve their dreams. Mr. Walker's experience at the Rockdale Career Academy has equipped him to support the current and future needs of (NCCA). Finally, Mr. Walker expects that all students who exit (NCCA) upon graduation will be well-prepared to have choices beyond high school."

Walker received a leadership certification from the University of Georgia, an education specialist degree from Piedmont College, a Master of Arts in secondary mathematics from Piedmont College and a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia. He also attended Young Harris College.

He comes to Newton County after having worked in the Rockdale County School District his entire career, beginning in 1998 as a mathematics and computer applications teacher at Salem High School. From there, he moved to Rockdale Virtual Campus/Rockdale Evening Academy in 2000, where is currently teaching mathematics and health.

Heritage High School in Conyers also housed Walker for some time, where he has held the positions of math teacher, assistant administrator and project success coordinator between 2001 and 2008.