After spending a number of years in the 'formal' education system, I ended up in a career field that had nothing to do with the formal qualifications I had earned. But I must say that my formal education, or at least the best teachers therin, instilled me with a knowledge of, and a love for, the learning process itself.

Although I'm now retired from a job which I truly loved, I've not lost one whit of my curiosity and love of learning. And the teachers who can fill you with that curiosity rather than cold facts are prizes to be treasured, whether in the formal system or not.

Yes, I've seen the 'us vs. them' syndrome in operation, but I've seen just as much admiration for the knowledge or ability one had, regardless of its source.