Should I Teach?

I was employed in a smallish engineering firm. Then in a Fortune 1000 company. Next I started a consulting practice and have consulted to Fortune 50 companies. I just sold my management-training/consulting firm. I earned a chunk of cash, but not enough to retire. I am 45 years old. I have two degrees in engineering, can write software, build networks, and computers. I can design courses for and teach adults. I communicate well both on paper and orally. I write occasionally (some of you actually read my posts :-) yet I am much more persuasive in person then on paper.

I cannot decide my next move...

Oh sure, I am going on interviews. Of the half-dozen I have had so far, only one sounded really interesting. If I am offered the job, it will be Thursday at the earliest. Meanwhile, do I really want this job?

A number of friends are teachers in the local public schools. We chatted at the Memorial Day picnic. They told me that I would have little problem becoming a teacher at the High School level. They told me that school systems like to hire teachers with industry experience. They also said I would be good at it. Were they just being nice? How could they tell?

I have to admit, the idea intrigues me. But what I know about teaching high school kids would not fill a thimble.

Help me fill that thimble....

What should I know?
Do I have the temperament for teaching high school?
What is the temperament for teaching high school?
What are the up-sides?
What are the downsides?
Teachers reading this, what do you recommend?
High school student reading this, what makes a great teacher? (and I still remember my great high school teachers - 25 years+ later Mr. M (chemistry), Mr. B (physics), Ms. M (Government), Mr. L (Band))

What questions am I not asking?

Thanks in advance