East Lake Academy Teacher Receives Golden Apple Award
The 32-year veteran educator is being recognized for his daily commitment to students in Chattanooga.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Secondary Education
East Lake Academy teacher Roberto Rojas was recently honored with the Golden Apple Award for his dedication to students. The seventh grade world history instructor and football coach has contributed 32 years to the Chattanooga education system.
Why it matters
Recognizing long-serving educators highlights the commitment required to support local middle schoolers during their formative years. For families, these veteran teachers provide a foundation of consistency in the daily academic and extracurricular lives of their children.
Roberto Rojas, 58, maintains a rigorous schedule at East Lake Academy, arriving at 7:30 a.m. each day before the 9:00 a.m. start time. His daily commitment extends well past the final bell, with departure times between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The players
Roberto Rojas
A 58-year-old world history teacher and football coach at East Lake Academy with 32 years of teaching experience.
East Lake Academy
A local middle school in Chattanooga where Rojas provides instruction and coaches students.
The details
Rojas balances his role as a seventh grade world history teacher with his responsibilities as the head football coach. He notes that the daily energy he receives from his students is the primary factor that has kept him in the classroom for more than three decades.
Timeline
* October 21, 2026: Roberto Rojas received the Golden Apple Award.
The Home Front
This achievement underscores the vital role long-tenured educators play in the stability of our local middle school environment. Such dedication reflects broader efforts to retain experienced staff within the public school system despite changing workforce patterns.
Parents with students at East Lake Academy should take note of the veteran leadership present in their children's daily schedules. When planning for the school year, consider how these consistent mentors contribute to the overall school culture your family relies on each day.
The takeaway
The sustained impact of veteran educators like Rojas provides families with a steady hand in the daily lives of their seventh graders. Take a moment to thank the teachers who help shape your child's routine throughout the academic calendar.
Further reading
Learn more about the local academic landscape in Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News 12 Now.
