To the OP, there is a nugget of wisdom buried in this pile of hore-$&!t. After thru hiking, I gave up on the corporate gigs and took a job as a high school teacher (math ironically enough).Wasn't ready for retirement yet but DID want ample time off to pursue hiking (took a 6 week trip last summer). Teaching is the perfect solution. FWIW, I tried just working part time before teaching but let's say that I didn't find any of those jobs to be very stimulating.
To RickB - is your impressions of teachers based on actual interactions with them or you just spewing stereotypes picked up from the media? granted we live in different parts of the world, but I have been impressed with the effort and dedication that I have observed with the people I work with. granted, there are a few rotten apples in the bunch but which industry/profession/group of people (including hikers) doesn't have that? In terms of effort vs. previous jobs in engineering and manufacturing - I tell people that I work 100% as hard as I ever did for 66% of the time that I used to for about 25% of my previous pay. That works out well (for me) as I place more value on time now than I did when I was younger. I am starting to understand that it is a finite and precious resource. I spent my younger days wanting to be a "master of the universe". No regrets about that but priorities have changed.