THOUSANDS of community members are banding together to save a school teacher from being fired after she called a student by her ‘preferred name.’
Melissa Calhoun risks losing her job after she broke the law to appease one of her high school students.
After 11 years of service, Calhoun was notified by her school district that her contract would not be renewed due to her decision to address students by their preferred name instead of their legal name.
The student had reportedly asked Calhoun to call them a different name than their legally assigned one, Click Orlando reported.
However, in the state where this transpired, it is required for teachers to have written consent from parents in order to use a student’s preferred name.
The student’s parent never gave Calhoun written permission to use the preferred name, prompting the parents to complain to the school district.
Community members defended the beloved Satellite High School teacher after discovering her teaching contract wouldn’t be renewed.
During a board meeting, school staff member Kristine Staniec acknowledged the positive impact the teacher had on both the classroom environment and the lives of the students, even mentioning her own child.
“She deserved more than a quiet exit. She deserved fairness, context, and compassion.”
The district claimed Calhoun knowingly defied the law, which led to her termination.
“Bervard Public Schools supports parents’ rights to be the primary decision-makers in their children’s lives, and Florida law affirms their right to be informed,” the school said in a statement.
“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.”
Staneic argues that the teacher had no “malicious” intent despite violating the law.
“There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intent, just a teacher trying to connect with a student,” Staniec said.
Community members created a Change.org petition to reinstate the teacher.
“Ms. Calhoun is an embodiment of what proper education should be: inclusive, understanding, and respectful of individuality,” the petition reads.
“Losing her would be a significant loss to Brevard County’s education community.
Brevard Public Schools’ statement
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.
“It is in the best interest of our kids, their future, our community, and the continuous development of an inclusive educational environment for us to stand with Ms. Calhoun.”
The petition has over 22,000 signatures of community members who are outraged by the firing.
“I was absolutely disgusted to hear about the injustice that has been inflicted upon Mrs Calhoun, for simply being respectful of her students request,” one petitioner wrote.
“I wholeheartedly support the reinstatement of this incredible teacher…She is truly one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I’ve ever met.”
The Bervard public school district did not immediately reply to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
