Melissa Calhoun, a teacher in Florida with 11 years of experience in Brevard County, has been let go from her job at Satellite High School. The decision was made after she used a student’s preferred name without getting written approval from the student’s parents, which is required under a Florida law passed in 2023.
According to the law, teachers must use the legal name of a student unless the school has a signed form from the parents giving permission for a different name to be used.
The situation came to the school district’s attention when the student’s parents reported the incident. An internal review followed and found that Calhoun had knowingly broken the rule. As a result, she received a formal warning, and the district chose not to renew her contract, which ends in May 2025.
Hook: The consequences for Calhoun may go beyond her current job.
The Florida Department of Education is now looking into her teaching license, which could affect her chances of continuing in the profession in the future.
Calhoun’s removal has led to many people in the school and community speaking out in her support.
Hook: A petition calling for her to stay has gained attention.
More than 22,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org asking for her to be reinstated. Students and parents have described her as a caring and supportive teacher who helped create an accepting classroom environment.
At a recent school board meeting, several people spoke about Calhoun’s positive influence, sharing how she had helped students feel respected and safe.
Hook: The incident highlights a bigger issue in Florida’s education system.
This case has brought more focus to the ongoing discussion around the state’s policies, especially those connected to parental rights and how schools handle student identities. Some believe the law protects families’ rights, while others feel it limits teachers’ ability to support their students in meaningful ways.