Florida teacher loses job for calling student by ‘preferred’ name

[bnew]

Florida teacher loses job for calling student by ‘preferred’ name

Thousands are signing a petition to try to help a teacher get her job back at Satellite High School. Brevard Public Schools said it isn’t renewing Melissa Calhoun’s contract for next year because she called a student by the name they wanted to be called by, not their legal name.

www.clickorlando.com

James Sparvero, Reporter

Published: April 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM

Updated: April 10, 2025 at 6:04 AM

Tags: Florida, Brevard County, Brevard Public Schools, Education, Politics, Crime, Preferred Names, Melissa Calhoun, Strange Florida

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Florida teacher loses job for calling student by ‘preferred’ name​

Teacher didn’t have parents’ permission, school district says​

Florida teacher loses job for calling student by 'preferred' name



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Thousands are signing a petition Petition trying to help a teacher get her job back at Satellite High School.

SATELLITE BEACH, Fla. – Thousands are signing a petition to try to help a teacher get her job back at Satellite High School.

Brevard Public Schools said it isn’t renewing Melissa Calhoun’s contract for next year because she called a student by the name they wanted to be called by, not their legal name.

[RELATED: Teachers fired over names? Here’s what Florida law says]

It might sound innocent, but Florida law says that for a teacher to call a student by their ‘preferred’ name, their parents have to give written permission, and in this case, the school district says that didn’t happen.

The Florida Legislature passed the law in 2023.

Kristine Staniec works at Calhoun’s school and stood up for her at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.

“The teacher made a difference in her classroom and in the lives of our students, including my own child. She deserved more than a quiet exit. She deserved fairness, context, and compassion,” the Satellite High media specialist said.

The district said Calhoun knew she wasn’t allowed to call the student by the preferred name but did so anyway.

“There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intent, just a teacher trying to connect with a student,” Staniec said at the board meeting.

Now, a lot of Calhoun’s former students are trying to help her through the Change.org petition.

More than 5,000 supporters are calling for the district to reinstate Calhoun.

“She is irreplaceable, not only a good teacher, but significantly more importantly she is the kindest and most caring person I have ever met in my life,” one supporter commented.

A statement from the district says the student’s parents came forward, and that’s how this investigation started.

You can read the full statement from Chief Strategic Communications Officer Janet Murnaghan below.

“Brevard Public Schools (BPS) was made aware that a teacher at Satellite High School had been referring to a student by a name other than their legal name, without parental permission when the parent reached out to us. This directly violates state law and the district’s standardized process for written parental consent.

“BPS supports parents’ rights to be the primary decision-makers in their children’s lives, and Florida law affirms their right to be informed.

“After the accusation was made, the district conducted a detailed investigation. Based on the teacher’s own admission that she knowingly did not comply with state statute she received a letter of reprimand. Teachers, like all employees, are expected to follow the law.

“The teacher is working under a ten-month contract that expires in May 2025. Since the state will be reviewing her teaching certificate based on these actions, the district decided not to renew the annual contract until the issue is resolved with the state.

“At BPS, our focus is on education--teachers are here to teach and support students academically. Our job is to work in partnership with parents and guardians to ensure student success. ”

“Calhoun worked for the school district for eleven years and taught at DeLaura Middle School, next to Satellite High, before her current position.”

Brevard Public Schools

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[lowkey0z]

what a weird way to lose your job

 

[Commish]

My guess that the student is transgender and wanted to be addressed using his/her TGDR name.

Parents hasn't accepted that their child is on the TGDR life, so they don't wanna sign paperwork allowing the name change.

Now, the teacher loses her job over this. OK, well..

She can get another job somewhere else. She'll be alright..*shrugs*

 

[cheek100]

Your name is carl. Sit down and open your book.

 

[the cac mamba]

another loss for #transet

 

[Neuromancer]

The student should just leave Florida

 

[levitate]

Likely a closeted parent.