Charles Corbett Named ‘Pioneer in Education’

A longtime Hart County educator, Charles R. Corbett, has received the Pioneer in Education award at a ceremony held by Pioneer RESA on November 3 in Cleveland, GA.

The Pioneer in Education awards honor individuals who go above and beyond every day to support our students and staff.

Whether the service is to provide exceptional instruction, to create or strengthen community support, or to lend a helping hand and a shoulder to lean on when our students and families need help, recipients of the award are those who stand out in their efforts to make a difference.

“Mr. Corbett’s 30-year journey through education has been one of dedication, kindness, and inspiration. His legacy as an educator will continue to influence the lives of those he has touched for generations to come. We are forever grateful for his service; his impact on our school district and community at large is immeasurable,” Hart County Charter System Superintendent Jennifer Carter said at the ceremony. “We are truly fortunate to have had Mr. Corbett as part of our educational family, and we celebrate his exceptional career and the remarkable human being he is. Thank you, Mr. Corbett, for your extraordinary contributions to our school system and our students. I am very proud to name Mr. Charles R. Corbett as Hart County’s Pioneer in Education this year.”

Corbett’s journey into the world of education began with a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia in 1971. From that moment forward, he embarked on a lifelong mission to instill knowledge and values into the young minds that passed through his classroom.

Corbett’s dedication was evident during his time teaching at Hart County Junior High and later at Hart County Middle School where he spent 30 years teaching middle school students. He was a versatile teacher, instructing subjects ranging from Social Studies, Georgia history, Government, Science, and just about anywhere they needed his skillset. His true aim, however, was not just to disseminate facts and figures, but to empower his students with knowledge they could carry with them throughout their lives.

Additionally, his dedication went beyond the classroom as he spent 20 years serving as a bus driver in addition to his teaching responsibilities. His long days, often beginning early in the morning and ending late in the afternoon, exemplified his commitment to the well-being and education of the students under his care.

But what truly set Corbett apart was not just his dedication, but his kindness, compassion, soft-spoken nature, equity, and generosity. He describes himself as a “very common man,” yet others describe him as an exemplary educator. He never raised his voice, but his expectations were always crystal clear – he expected the best from each of his students every day.

His approach was characterized by fairness, consistency, and genuine care.  Corbett treated all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, with the utmost respect, setting an example of how positive teacher-student relationships should be nurtured.

In addition to his role as an educator, Mr. Corbett is a family man. He is supported by his loving wife, Kathy, and together they have raised two children, Jeremy and Justin, and are now blessed with six grandchildren.