Teacher fired for making kids write own obituaries
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: FOX 35 Orlando/Pramote Polyamate / Alamy Stock Photo
A teacher has spoken out after being fired for making his pupils write their own obituaries.
The Florida man was let off due to his 'inappropriate lesson' after trying to teach students how to stay safe during an emergency drill.
Psychology teacher Jeffrey Keene still maintains that he 'didn’t do anything wrong'.
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Keene is currently appealing his termination from Dr. Phillips High School following his controversial lesson about safety during which made students write their own obituaries during an active shooter drill.
Defending his controversial teaching decision, the man explained: "If they died 24 hours from now, what would they do differently than they did yesterday? And that’s to get them to get rid of all the fluff and show them what’s important in the world."
The teacher continued: "It wasn’t to say, ‘You’re going to die, and let’s stress you out'."
Keene, who has taught for more than 15 years, admitted that one of his students wasn't pleased with his lesson plan.
He then included a disclaimer telling his pupils: "This is in no way to upset you."
The lesson plan read: "Today was your 'last day' alive..." before following up with the task to 'write your own obituary'.
The teacher ended up receiving a notice from the Orange County School District which told him he could either resign from his role or be fired.
Keene revealed he was absolutely 'stunned', before explaining: "I was talking to students about the world they live in: gun safety, active shooters."
He went on to claim he 'didn't do anything wrong'.
Recalling the conversation he had with the school board, the teacher revealed: "I said, 'If I did, tell me what it is.'
"They said, 'We can’t do that.' I said, 'In that case, since I don’t know what I did wrong, you can go ahead and terminate me without cause.'"
A spokesperson for the local district said in an official statement: "Dr. Phillips High School families were informed that a teacher gave an inappropriate assignment about school violence.
"Administration immediately investigated, and the probationary employee has been terminated."
Keene's controversial lesson comes just a matter of weeks after the devastating mass shooting in Nashville which left three children and three adults dead at The Covenant School last month (27 March).
The school district has reportedly stated it is currently unable to discuss the specific details of the case due to Keene appealing his termination.