Dougherty Teacher of the Year finalist Victoria Brackins wants to share her knowledge (VIDEO)

ALBANY — Albany High School Economics teacher Victoria Brackins, a finalist for Dougherty County’s Teacher of the Year, is a firm believer in making a “stubborn horse” want to drink from the well of knowledge.

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“I remember one of my professors in graduate school once made an addendum to the old cliche, ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink,’ when she said, “as educators we have to make the water so appealing that they feel they just have to drink.’” Brackins said. “Well, my nature as a gleaner of information agreed with her, reflecting on my theory of having substance and style in teaching which speaks to presenting information well (style) and having information worth presenting (substance) which would make a stubborn horse want to drink.”

If it isn’t obvious by now, Brackins takes her role as a teacher seriously.

“Teaching is just not my profession, it is my passion and purpose here on Earth,” Brackins said. “I will say that I did not chose to become a teacher, but God chose me. and equipped me with the ability and desire to do so; it was fate. Teaching is what I was born to do and I am honored and privileged to be able to do it every day of my life.”

Brackins is eager to share her knowledge with her students.

“My sincere ambition and conviction to dedicate my life to helping others with knowledge comes from my firsthand experience with the life transforming power of education,” she said. “I’ve seen in my own life as well as living examples around me, how obtaining and applying knowledge causes people to change their lots in life, despite substantial negative odds against them.”

Brackins holds a B.A. in Economics from Spelman College and M.Ed. in Post Secondary Education from Troy University as well as associated coursework from the Foundation for Teaching Economics and Albany State University.

She has spent her entire Dougherty School System career at Albany High where, in addition to teaching Economics, she has also taught U.S. History, U.S. Government, Debate and World Geography.

Dougherty County’s Teacher of the Year will be named Thursday at a banquet at Hilton Garden Inn.