MrMathTeacher

Well played.

When I have to answer the same question multiple times because my students weren't listening. In the same vein, students who don't read instructions.

This is definitely a noticeable trend. I teach a statistics course where students often have to write a longer response to a problem, using actual words (gasp!). They're supposed to reach a conclusion based on some data and defend it. So often, I can tell they're terrified of being wrong, and so they either cheat and work with each other or look up solutions online, or write such a pathetic response that they're trying to play both sides at once.

I have had a few parent-teacher conferences with these types of parents, but fortunately I have always had a very strong department chair and administration backing me up.

Perhaps my most favorite times in class are when we get off topic, either deliberately or accidentally. I love to talk about math topics not in any way related to the actual curriculum, the 4th dimension especially. When you think of the 4th dimension viewing a 3D world as a 3rd dimension creature viewing a 2D world, you're able to come up with some really bizarre conclusions. Like a 4th dimensional creature could look at a textbook and see every side of every page at the same time without touching it.

I have sent verification that I hope is satisfactory.