But I think many of them didn't start teaching with a "let's skin some newbies" mentality.I've personally never paid for education except for a mentoring program.

Is the Peter Conti and Jerry Norton's Mentor Financial Group legit?"

If you can afford a mentor, get one.  

Get a mentor and associate yourself with SUCCESSFUL investors so that you can run questions by them.

Your best bet is to find a brokerage with a great training program, hook up with an agent willing to mentor you and use you as a buyers agent or assistant etc.  

I am brand new to real estate investing, and looking for a local group or mentor that could show me the ropes and share their knowledge and experience.  

Ultimately, success for me would be continually peak at each of my titles : father, son, day trader, real estate investor, entrepreneur, and mentor.

My mentor told me the grocery store model is best:"You don't want to sell a seller in the grocery store and have to duck around a corner.

Should I find a partner/mentor before doing anything?

Find a local investor to mentor you, find a local paid coach or find a non-local coach who charges reasonable fees (and offers a "pay as you go" option) -- this will greatly reduce your risk and also greatly increase your chances for success.