I am a high school mathematics teacher in Dallas, TX, but take advantage of the lower cost of living in Irving, TX. 

The only better teacher you will find is action.

And REIAs are just like the Gurus, attorneys, doctors, politicians, teachers or anyone else.

I would warn you to be careful with some of the programs for teachers and firefighters etc such as the "good neighbor next door" (if it still exists) program which can get you into a house cheaply but will tie your hands from buying other properties for three years.

Alright, teacher's pet. 

there are some awesome "teachers" and a LOT of phony teachers!

(For a new person it is the only teacher/guru I would ever recommend and the only value out there as far as I am concerned) What I didn't know was worth 100,000s of thousands of dollars over the next 20 years in this business and will pay for itself 20 fold on the first flip alone. 

I like it long term because it's full of towns/cities where a family can buy a house and get ahead on normal incomes...kind of place where the teachers and firefighters are homeowners.

I bought my first rental in graduate school at 23 (it was seller financed, although I could easily make the payments I doubt a bank would've ever approved me for a mortgage at that point as a bartender and Teachers assistant). 

Experience is the best teacher!