I also frequent Caza in Reston.  

Eric,This site is definitely an education in itself. 

Is there an independent path to educate oneself and still be successful?

I am starting to look into educating myself on the potentials and pitfalls of getting into real estate.  

This is the price of education. ---------------   OR  -------------------------STEP ONE:  Spend the next 2 years learning contracts, contract law, assignments, communication and negotiation skills, area property values, etc. until you're ready to put a deal together. 

we joined Success Path to learn about real estate investing and have been working on our education for about six months.

Full of new information I was ready to spout off and 'educate' sellers about.  

This may be a non-issue if your relationship with the owner is a close one.Offering lease / options property is an entire education course in itself.

They have great local education and I believe @Megan Galane is working on getting webinars going.  

Sounds like to me she needs to be educated and feed the cat and clean the bowl versus leaving it out...I have a dog and this happens to me and my home is sprayed monthly...It only happens when we get lazy and don't clean the bowl properly.Personally,  i would spray, then ask her about what i mentioned above.