Over the years I've featured posts about the “Behind Every Famous Person is a Fabulous Teacher” campaign and the various country stars who have joined in the good cause.
The “Behind Every Famous Person is a Fabulous Teacher” campaign shows famous musicians, actors, and athletes bringing to light the teachers who made the greatest impact in their lives. Wynonna, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Josh Gracin have all taken part, and now Scotty McCreery has joined the fun with his baseball coach and high school teacher Derik Goffena, who he credits with pushing him to beat the odds.
Scotty McCreery Since winning Season Ten of American Idol in 2011, Scotty McCreery has quickly become one of the most successful country stars to emerge in the last few years. His debut album, Clear As Day, was certified platinum for sales of more than 1 million units in just three months, and he was named No. 1 on Billboardmagazine's list of Top New Country Artists for 2011. He also won New Artist of the Year at the American Country Awards in December of 2011.
Clear As Day debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts, making him the youngest man in history to open at the top of the all-genre chart with a debut release. It also garnered the highest sales of any country solo album released last year and held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for six weeks. McCreery is a native of Garner, NC.
Derik Goffena is currently in his 12th year of teaching at Garner High School. He played college baseball at Georgia Tech and has been coaching baseball for 10 years at Garner High.
Derik is married to Caroline Goffena and they have two children together, Laney and Levi.
Mr. Goffena believes that Scotty’s “ability to remain humble and driven in the midst of his accomplishments” is what makes him special. As a teacher, one of the most important lessons that Mr. Goffena has given Scotty is that “nothing worth having comes easily.”
Check out all the stars and their favorite teachers by visiting TeachersCount.org.
Like they say, it "takes a village." Well, Scotty has been raised by two wonderful parents who have instilled in him moral values and integrity. The children were taught that religious values are important and they have been involved in youth groups & choirs as children. Scotty is proud of his upbringing. Besides his parents, his sister, Ashley, the pastors, teachers, and the Garner family, have contributed to Scotty's upbringing which has helped to make Scotty who he is today...that fine young gentleman....the Scotty we know & love. Yes, THAT Scotty...the humble bagger from Lowe's Food Store that is also a celebrity! Who'd know?
Scotty McCreery is real..very real!
Thank you to all of the people who have impacted his life and who are sharing all of it with America...
Yes..Scotty McCreery is our "American Idol!"
Thank you Scotty for taking us all on this amazing journey with you. We'll never let you down.
Posted by: Gail Drayton | May 09, 2012 at 11:21 AM