Central Christian Academy headmaster Darrell Walker is finally getting accustomed to all the hats he wears.

The past two years have been interesting ones for both him and the school.

In that time, Walker has juggled duties as athletic director, girls’ basketball coach, assistant football coach, teacher and whatever else pops up on any given day.

It has also been a trying period, one Walker hopes is now over.

“We’re looking forward to this year,” he said. “Two thousand seven is behind us now; we can do nothing but go forward. We’ve titled this year ‘A New beginning.’”

This makes the third headmaster at the school since 2006. Walker had taken over on an interim basis two times. The most recent was in September of 2007 — one month into the school year.

Walker begins his first official term as headmaster in the upcoming school year, making him the first black headmaster in the AISA.

“I’m at a point in my life where I’m making history, not just teaching it,” Walker said. “I’m hoping that my students are looking at me as a positive influence and saying to themselves that if I can do it, anyone can.”

The school is building again, foremost through education of students.

CCA’s dual enrollment with Wallace Community College Selma, its new debate team and five new high school teachers on staff are measures to get students to take advantage of every opportunity available.

The school is also building from the ground up with a Pre-K program that is “more than just a day care,” Walker says.

The Warriors have also become contenders in several sports, but even that came with some hardship.

Three weeks into the follow up of their 7-4 year, the Warriors’ football team cancelled the season due to lack of players. Both basketball teams made it to the state tournament — the girls to the Final Four — but both suffered bitter losses.

Walker is an educator first, but gives the impression that it will take a lot to unseat him in his role with athletics.

A former basketball player at Selma high, his next goal is to help all his teams finish what they started last season.

“We’re trying to get over that hump this year,” Walker said.