Son of a teacher-coach (father) and small-town newspaper publisher/editor (mother). And I'm a social studies teacher-coach who writes a weekly outdoor recreation column for the local daily paper and freelances for a few magazines and authored a book, My Neck of the Woods. Working on the second one right now. I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
[When I left for college, torn between sporting goods, wildlife biology, journalism, teaching].
Teaching doesn't pay much, but is largely recession-proof. The hours are very similar to one's children, which is a good thing. It would be an ideal job for a guy whose passion is fishing. It's not bad for a whitetail bowhunter who does not coach in the fall (I've turned down opportunities to coach cross country, another passion). Most schools have tight leave policies which in my case have severely hampered my non-resident hunt dreams.
Think I've got 7 years until early retirement, but may stay in it until my daughters graduate (10 years) so I can keep an eye on 'em and they don't leave the house wearing one set of clothes only to change into something unacceptable. I'll also have a better feel for the guys that may be lurking around the house. Ha.