Shaka Arnold began his new role as Head of Middle School at Columbus Academy on July 2.

For the past four years, Shaka has been the Assistant Middle School Head at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Before that position, he spent five years as the Middle School Dean of Students at Gilman School, an all-boys school in Baltimore, Maryland.

Shaka’s first seven years at Gilman were as an award-winning science teacher, coach, admissions coordinator and advisor. Prior to his work in independent schools, he was the Public Relations and Community Relations Assistant for the Baltimore Ravens for five years.

Born and raised in upstate New York, Shaka is a graduate of William and Mary College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. He also has a master’s in education from Goucher College and a master’s in divinity from Howard University.

Shaka and his wife Davida have four children: Zoya, Hanna, Joza and Ina.