Dr. Russell Dyer, director of Cleveland City Schools, has named Nathaniel Akiona as the new Principal of Cleveland Middle School. Mr. Akiona will replace Dr. Leneda Laing after she transitions into the role of supervisor of Secondary Education on July 1.
Mr. Akiona is completing his twenty-fourth year in education and has most recently served as the principal of Michigan Avenue Elementary School. Prior to his time at Michigan Avenue, Mr. Akiona was the principal of Walker Valley High School and North Lee Elementary School.
Mr. Akiona was honored as the Southeast CORE Principal of the Year in 2015 and has led two different schools to Tennessee Department of Education “Reward” status. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Tennessee Technological University along with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education from Lee University.
Prior to his time as a school administrator, Mr. Akiona was a classroom teacher at both Walker Valley High School and Bradley Junior High School.
Dr. Dyer said, “Mr. Akiona brings many years of successful school administration to his new role as principal of Cleveland Middle School. He is widely respected as a school administrator across the Cleveland and Bradley County community, and I look forward to working with him to provide the best possible educational experience for the students at Cleveland Middle School.”