FL Teacher Fired After Asking Students To Write Obituaries Before Shooting Drill

ORLANDO, FL — A Florida teacher is without a job after he asked students to write their obituaries ahead of an active shooter drill at an Orange County high school, according to multiple reports.

Jeffrey Keene, a former psychology teacher at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, is appealing his termination after district officials fired him over an "inappropriate" assignment about school violence, FOX 35 Orlando reported.

Keene, on the other hand, said he only asked students to write their obituaries ahead of the drill to "help them understand what's important in their lives and how they want to move forward with their lives and how they want to pursue things in their journey," he told NBC News.

"This isn't a way to upset you or anything like that," he told his first-period class of 35 students, NBC News reported.

Keene, who was hired by the district in January, was fired before the end of the day, he told NBC News.

In a statement provided to Patch, an Orange County Public Schools spokesperson said Keene had not completed a one-year probationary period to become a permanent teacher with the district.

"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."

The spokesperson did not offer additional details.

When asked by FOX 35 whether he regretted the lesson, Keene said no. When asked if he would do it again? "Absolutely," he said.