Florida Teacher Fired For Making Kids Write Own Obituaries

Credit: Fox 35

A teacher who forced his students to write their own obituaries has spoken out after his firing.

The Florida man attempted to instruct students on how to keep safe during an emergency exercise, but was excused for his "inappropriate lesson."

Jeffrey Keene, a psychology professor, continues to insist that he "didn't do anything wrong."

Credit: Fox 35

Keene was fired from Dr. Phillips High School as a result of his controversial safety lecture in which he required students to write their own obituaries during an active shooter exercise. 

Keene is currently appealing the decision.

He defended his controversial teaching decision by saying:

"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."

Credit: Fox 35

The teacher continued: "It wasn’t to say, ‘You’re going to die, and let’s stress you out'."

Keene, a teacher for over 15 years, acknowledged that one of his students wasn't happy with the lesson plan.

He then informed his students of a disclaimer, saying: "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'.

In the end, the instructor got a letter from the Orange County School District informing him that he had two options: quit his job or be fired.

Keene said he was "stunned" beyond belief before adding:

"I was talking to students about the world they live in: gun safety, active shooters."

He continued by claiming that he "didn't do anything wrong."

The teacher remembered his discussion with the school board and 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.'"

In a formal statement, the spokesperson for the local district said:

"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 contentious lesson comes only a few weeks after the terrible mass shooting in Nashville last month that left three children and three adults dead at The Covenant School.

According to reports, the school system has said that because Keene is contesting his termination, it is currently unable to speak about the specifics of the case.