Florida teacher student preferred name use leads to non-renewal of contract amid state law requiring parental consent. The incident marks the first reported job loss tied to Florida’s controversial 2023 name-use policy in public schools.
Melissa Calhoun, a teacher at Satellite High School in Brevard County, was investigated after referring to a student by a name different from their legal name. Under a Florida Board of Education rule signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, teachers must receive signed parental approval before using any alternate names, including nicknames or names aligned with a student’s gender identity.
According to district spokesperson Janet Murnaghan, Calhoun knowingly violated this rule. While she will finish her current contract, which ends in May, her teaching certification will be reviewed by the state.
“At BPS our focus is on education… Our job is to work in partnership with parents and guardians,” Murnaghan said in a statement.
Public Support for Calhoun
Calhoun’s dismissal sparked strong reactions from students, colleagues, and community members. At a recent Brevard school board meeting, speakers expressed disappointment and frustration over the decision.
“She was trying to make a student feel seen and welcome,” said Kristine Staniec, a fellow educator. “There was no harm. No threat to safety. No malicious intent.”
A student-led petition to retain Calhoun collected over 3,000 signatures in a single day.
“She’s beloved by all of her students,” said junior Ryan Matrigali. “Her goal was to make everyone feel welcome.”
Students highlighted Calhoun’s role beyond the classroom—coaching the school’s mock trial team and attending games to support students.
Florida’s Name-Use Policy: A First of Its Kind Case
This is the first documented instance of a Florida educator facing contract termination over the name-use rule. The 2023 policy requires schools to develop a parental consent form, but it doesn’t outline specific consequences for noncompliance.
Calhoun was issued a letter of reprimand, but her dismissal may set a precedent for future disciplinary action in similar cases.
Meanwhile, lawsuits have been filed challenging Florida’s broader education laws, including one restricting pronoun usage in schools. A federal judge partially blocked enforcement, but the state is appealing.
A Divisive Law with National Impact
Florida’s policy has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate about LGBTQ+ student rights, parental authority, and teacher discretion in the classroom. As more states consider similar laws, educators like Calhoun find themselves at the center of a growing cultural and legal battle.
Source: USA Today
