Cabeasle,
As you know there are many paths to wealth, financial independence and early retirement. Believe it or not, teachers have more retirement options than most private-sector jobs: state teachers' pension, 403b, 457, IRAs and some districts even offer district plans (403a) too. The trick is to use the plans to the max on a teacher's salary. It's not easy, but it can be done.
Here is what my wife and I (both teachers) have done over the last 10 years.
$3,000 – 2002
$30,000 – 2003
$32,000 – 2004
$50,000 – 2005
$53,000 – 2006
$60,000 – 2007
$54,250 – 2008
$62,095 – 2009
$82,473 – 2010
$82,850 – 2011
$88,817 – 2012
Phase 1: We started by maxing out our 403b plans and traditional IRAs in 2003. Later, we started putting some money in our 457 plans until we had about $60,000 in 457 plans. In retrospect we should have maxed out our 457 plans first because they do not have a 10% pre-59.5 penalty; 457 money is more flexible than 403b / IRA money. Once you separate service from an employer, you can strategically tap 457 money; it is treated as regular income. (Remember, you still have to pay tax on income!)
Phase 2: In 2009, we quit our jobs and took jobs in another district. Why? So that we could tap our 457 money for living expenses and double down on our savings. As you can see, 2009-2012 were big savings years for us.
As for the 403b account versus the IRA, I like them both, BUT I never invest in mutual funds via my 403b or 457 accounts. I only use short-term fixed accounts that pay about 2%; yes, I realize that I'm losing purchasing power due to inflation. However, I do not want to expose my savings to both market uncertainty and annuity fee certainty (thanks Mr. Annuity salesman!). Most 403b and 457 plans have far too many fees for my taste. That said, I still use the hell out of them...making lemonade from lemons! Do your investing in your IRA accounts and do your savings in your 403b and 457 accounts. At some point, you will have to quit your job to move YOUR money.
Phase 3: In 2013 we plan on taking 72T / SEPP distributions from our tradtional IRA; this should provide about $18,000 a year (balance of $530K). To make this possible we rolled all of our 403b accounts to our IRAs. Then, we will take about $15,000 per year from our 457 accounts (balance of $107K. This results in $33,000 a year. Plus, we qualify for our pensions when we turn 60. (We late 40s now). Any future earnings will be funneled into retirement accounts and this virtuous cycle will continue...I call it PAY YOURSELF FIRST TO THE EXTREME.
I hope this helps and gives you some ideas to bounce around.