A Florida high school teacher is out of a job after she called a student by their chosen name—without parental permission. Melissa Calhoun, a teacher at Satellite High School, will not have her contract renewed, following a district investigation. The issue? She referred to a student by a name different from the one on school records, which violates a 2023 Florida Board of Education rule.
In a statement to Florida Today, Brevard Public Schools spokesperson Janet Murnaghan said, “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.” The rule requires a signed “Parental Authorization” form for any student who wants to go by a name other than their legal one—even a nickname.
Calhoun admitted she “knowingly did not comply with state statute,” and was issued a letter of reprimand. The state will now review her teaching certification. But students and staff at Satellite High are rallying behind her. A petition gained over 3,000 signatures in one day. At the recent school board meeting, several people showed up with handmade signs and emotional statements. Calhoun’s case is reportedly the first publicized job loss tied to Florida’s name-use rule. For LGBTQ students, it’s another reminder of how politics can intrude on personal identity—and how affirming teachers may be punished for simply showing support.
