Learn to repair, it will save you money but also teach you how to effectively gauge workmanship and deal with contractors6.

Either they don't know what they are talking about, or they are unable to teach you the basics so that you can repeat them here. 

The truth is, all you've done is teach the tenants to take advantage of you.I hope they're not trying to hide damages.

The contract knowledge is good to have but you can teach yourself most of it by reading them and looking up the definations yourself.

The book will teach you to follow these steps:1) Narrow down to markets you are interested in2) Interview and build a team in that market (realtor, contractor, lender, property manager)3) Buy, rehab, rent, refinance and repeat :)

I also teach classes on Fair Housing for landlords and for attorneys, and I have just been hired by Kaplan/Dearborn to write the update for their Fair Housing 6-hour online course.   

It would definatly get their pie in the sky ideas back down to reality and teach them what this business is really about..  

It is foolish to think I can teach this to "general laborers" or college kids during the summer months?  

Its beyond a waste of your time as they teach at a kindergarten level like "how to make signs to put on the street" "and this is why foreclosures happen".

I'm also concerned I'll get stuck teaching myself and never actually doing anything out of fear.