No, I'm afraid that most modern educators are pretty much ignorant regarding Constitutional history and theory. Either that, or they do an extremely poor job in relating their knowledge to their students. That's a particular shame given the circumstance we find ourselves in today.

I believe that states had the right to secede before the WBTS. Several of them specifically reserved that right in their ratification documents (see Ron Paul on Secession thread for examples). That right was violated at the point of a bayonet, but the fact that someone forcibly infringes upon your rights does not negate those rights. I also believe that states have the right to secede today. One difference is that the 'armament gap' between the secessionists and unionists is much larger than it was in 1862. I hope that I would have the courage of my convictions (and my ancestors) and do the right thing, but if the government were intent on preserving the union by force, I'm afraid it wouldn't end well for secessionists or Constitutionalists.