To be perfectly honest, I can't remember not knowing how to. My parents were useless, and I can vaguely remember my dh teaching me some stuff, but I also remember pretty early on doing optimistic stuff like disassembling my brakes and rear derailleur and expecting to be able to assemble it all again "by eye". So I guess I've been messing with my bike too long to answer your question. I agree wholeheartedly with your mission, though! I'm giving easy wrenching lessons at work myself now, and I really enjoy teaching what I feel are important skills. Especially for women, many women I've talked to who I know are strong, skilled, confident riders and ride all through the winter, but who wait with changing summer/winter tires until their dhs can do it for them.

What tricks do you teach to make putting on the rear tire easier? Which way do you have the bike?