Looking at the question from the other [teacher's] side: In 30 years of teaching English myself [1950s-80s], I used folksong as part of my teaching curriculum at every school I taught at, as well as running guitar clubs, folk clubs & folk groups for school concerts, &c. I still occasionally meet an ex-pupil who remembers, and says I turned him/her on to folk which remains an interest.

I am sure there must be many present or former teachers reading this thread with similar stories to tell.

~Michael~