One of my tenants is currently a public school teacher in Milwaukee and that was one of the main reasons they were looking in my area.

Talk to or take 2-4 day classes from teachers like Anthony Chara and Michael Blank on multi-family investing.  

California and although the real estate market is still going well, its a little "pricey" for a public high school teacher's salary (me!)...

These are the people you want to talk to.A great teacher of these concepts is Greg Pinneo out of Seattle:http://www.reachreturns.comI learned most of what I know on the subject from him and he hosts free 2-day courses all over the place.

As you said, they are your greatest teacher.

Whichever course or niche you decide on, I would highly recommend that you first read at least one book by authors like Napoleon Hill, Bob Proctor, Jim Rohn, etc. because if you don't first understand the concepts that these men teach, you most likely will fail and then blame it on the course or the teacher.  

They have the best teachers and courses to help you pass the state exam.Good Luck!

THOSE are the teachers you should be looking for.

Either way, if you are looking for an agent, my advice is to find someone with the heart of a teacher and that has investments of his/her own.

I am a science teacher and a football coach.