As craziest as this might seem I sold a cheap property to one of his students I just found out the other day for $23,000.

It's primarily newer sponsors, investors, and students networking for opportunities. 

I am a high school math teacher from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.

You can have some student housing, regular long-term rentals, and even some STRs if you choose.

Loan Programs: Conventional loans (>$7.5M), small balance loans (<$7.5M), lease up / near-stabilization loans, 2ndlien supplemental loans, student housing, seniors housing, MHC, green financing, etc.2.

I currently have two triplexes near Marywood University so majority of my tenants have been students. 

If your student loans are only 3-5% interest, that's pretty good so I think it's okay to pay those off over time.It sounds like you're making good income with your current employer and there is room to grow, so I'd plan to stay with that job until you can pay your high interest loans off and save enough for a down payment for your first property.

Along the way I remembered something the great note investor and early real estate investing teacher Jimmy Napier said to me.  

He was previously my teacher in high school, so I've had a relationship with him and I've signed a buyer's agreement with him.

Invest and give generouslyHe's not going to advise people to invest in real estate with leverage because his audience is full of people up to their eyeballs in credit card debt, student loans, car payments, etc.