[Ilander]

For the mathematically, physically, or scientifically minded, the Earth's orbital eccentricity is .0167

Note that the eccentricity of an orbit is defined as the ratio of the distance between the foci (center points of an ellipse, more or less) and the semimajor (longer) axis.

Note that if you actually draw an ellipse, to scale, with an eccentricity of .00167 , you would probably have a difficult time distinguishing it from a circle...in fact, only Neptune has a more circular orbit in our solar system.

On the subject of teachers...well, while they try, there are serious deficiencies in secondary education, and many corners are cut---and that's all I will say.