Citizen of the Week: Dr. Bob Heaberlin Honored Twice in One Week

Dr. Bob Heaberlin’s decades of leadership in education and community service were recognized in a big way recently when he received two major honors in the span of just a few days.

On February 26, the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce presented Heaberlin with its Chairman’s Award during the organization’s 78th State of the Chamber Annual Meeting, which launched the Chamber’s “One Coweta” initiative. Two days later, he was honored with the Oscar Gala Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s Coweta Advisory Board.

Recognition across the community

The Chamber’s Chairman’s Award recognizes an individual whose leadership, generosity, and commitment have made a lasting impact on the organization and the community.

“This year’s recipient, Dr. Bob Heaberlin, has been a steadfast partner, a trusted advisor, and a champion for the Chamber’s mission,” said Candace Boothby, president and CEO of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber.

“Through years of leadership, investment, and service, he has helped strengthen our organization while supporting the growth and success of our local business community.”

Boothby said Heaberlin’s leadership style reflects both his background as an educator and his commitment to mentoring others.

“Dr. Bob’s coach-style leadership, his willingness to give back, and his deep commitment to Coweta County reflect the very best of what it means to lead with purpose,” Boothby said. “His influence has been felt not only through his professional accomplishments, but through the encouragement and guidance he has offered to so many along the way.”

The Oscar Gala Award, presented by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s Coweta Advisory Board, recognizes a board member who consistently goes above and beyond in support of youth and families in Coweta County.

The award was introduced last year, with longtime community leader Bob Coggin serving as its first recipient after more than 20 years of service on the advisory board.

A career rooted in Coweta schools

While the recent honors highlight his civic leadership, Heaberlin is widely known for his decades of work in education—particularly in Coweta County.

After beginning his career as a sixth-grade teacher in 1972, he went on to serve in a range of leadership roles across multiple states before settling in Coweta in 1988. Locally, he held key positions at East Coweta Middle School and Newnan High School before serving as principal at several schools, including Newnan Crossing Elementary, Winston Dowdell Academy, and East Coweta Middle School.

In 2006, he returned to open Lee Middle School, where he served until retiring from K–12 education in 2013.

His leadership earned recognition at both the state and national levels, including Georgia’s National Distinguished Middle School Principal of the Year in 2011 and National Educator of the Year in 2012. Under his leadership, Lee Middle School was named a National Lighthouse School to Watch.

Continuing to lead beyond retirement

Retirement from public schools did not mark the end of Heaberlin’s work in education.

After earning his doctorate from the University of Georgia, he taught graduate students at the University of West Georgia before joining the faculty full-time. In 2014, he was named Chief Academic Officer of UWG’s Newnan campus, serving in that role until 2022.

Today, he continues working with educators through the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, supporting teachers and administrators from more than 200 schools across a 14-county region.

Service beyond the classroom

Heaberlin’s impact extends well beyond education.

He has served on the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 10 years and was chair in 2024. He has been an active member of the Newnan Kiwanis Club since 2015 and serves on the board of Elevate Coweta Students.

He has also been a longtime member of the Howard Warner and Newnan-Coweta Boys & Girls Clubs boards, supporting programs that serve local youth and families.

Outside of his professional and civic work, Heaberlin is active at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newnan, where he serves on three ministry committees.

A lasting impact

Heaberlin and his wife, Dr. Heather Turner, have long been part of the Coweta community. Their son, Lee, serves as athletic director and assistant principal at East Coweta High School, and the family includes two granddaughters, Paisley and Bailey.

For many who have worked alongside him, the two recent awards reflect something larger—a lifetime spent investing in students, supporting educators, and strengthening the community he calls home.

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Anyone in Fayette or Coweta County can nominate a local resident to be featured. Submissions must include between 100 and 500 words explaining why your nominee deserves the spotlight and a photo of them. (Submissions without a photo cannot be accepted.) Fill out the nomination form here:

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Each week, one honoree is celebrated in The Citizen, giving us all a chance to recognize the people who enrich our community with their character and care.