• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Teacher fired for making kids write own obituaries

Home> News

Updated 09:14 7 Apr 2023 GMT+1Published 09:09 7 Apr 2023 GMT+1

Teacher fired for making kids write own obituaries

The teacher is appealing his termination after the controversial lesson

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

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'.

Advert

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.

One teacher has been fired for making his pupils write their own obituaries.
Fox 35

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."

Keene included a disclaimer telling his pupils: "This is in no way to upset you."
Fox 35

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.'"

Keene is currently appealing the school's decision to fire him.
Fox 35

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.

Featured Image Credit: FOX 35 Orlando/Pramote Polyamate / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: US News, Life, Education

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Teacher quits after student, 8, made shocking 'threesome deepfake video'
  • Teacher fired from school after calling student by different name 'without permission'
  • Teacher suddenly quits after giving strong warning to parents on what's ruining children's education
  • Top New Zealand diplomat fired for making controversial comments about Donald Trump

Choose your content:

Just now
9 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty Stock Images
    Just now

    Woman sues clinic after giving birth to baby who is not biologically hers

    The couple are now desperately trying to figure out what happened to their biological embryos

    News
  • Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
    9 mins ago

    Michelle Obama reveals whether Barack would run for president again if term rules were changed

    "This is a hard job, and it requires new energy, new vision all the time."

    News
  • Columbia Heights Public Schools
    an hour ago

    ICE detains five-year-old boy immediately after he returns home from school

    The five-year-old boy is one of four children to allegedly be detained in the same Minnesota school district

    News
  • Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival & John Nacion/WWD via Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Sex and the City star Chris Noth reveals what led to 'hurtful' fallout with Sarah Jessica Parker after savage Golden Globes dig

    The actor has spoken out in a new interview after a quip on Instagram sparked controversy

    Celebrity