Thanks for replying, Noel....
I certainly never intended to come across as if I devalue or disrespect educators or education. That was NEVER my intention, as I hold those who teach in the highest regard (as I said, I 'teach' a songwriting class at a community college myself).
My point is, again and this is my opinion, that I don't believe songwriting at it's core is something that can be taught regardless of how good those doing the teaching are at their job.
Now anything can be learned through study and teaching, that's a separate conversation and most likely where the disconnect is in this particular discussion. Learning how to do something and being really good at it are two different things, as you would know very well. I studied math in school growing up, and though I managed to learn it well enough to pass my classes, I was never any good at it. And so I guess in my mind I'm applying that criteria (being really good at something) to my definition of having learned how to do it - probably unfair, but there it is.
I know Steve and Beth, they are both brilliant songwriters and I would encourage anyone to attend their classes/seminars/workshops. My thoughts are truly specific to Pattison, and with apologies I'm simply going to have to stand by my opinion that he is overrated....more specifically, by many people I have met, his opinions and teachings on songwriting are overVALUED to the point of them being treated like they are the Ten Commandments. Does he have good points, good exercises, good thoughts? Absolutely. There is most likely something in there that could be applied by everyone who writes or attempts to write songs.
However - I, unfortunately, have sat down with dozens and dozens of aspiring writers (please note the word 'aspiring', as in hoping to write professionally) who have played me songs that were simply not competitive in the commercial marketplace, and then being flabbergasted when I told them so, because "I wrote these exactly the way Pat Pattison said to".

So maybe I take less exception with what or how Pat Pattison teaches, and more with the way his methods wind up being applied by many. I hope this clarifies, and my heartfelt apologies if I in any way came across as being disrespectful or unappreciative of educators such as yourself.
Regards,
RB