After more than a decade working for a school district, a 'cherished' teacher has been sacked following a complaint that she had been illegally referring to her student by a name that was not on the register.
For the last 11 years, Melissa Calhoun had been employed by Brevard Public Schools (BPS), in Brevard County, Florida, but after defying a state law that says teachers must refer to their pupils by their legal name, the school board has decided against renewing her contract.
She has received the axe after one of her students asked that she refer to them by a name that was not on their birth certificate, which is commonly requested by those going through gender transition but can also be a nickname, with the bill having been passed in 2023 stating that parents must give written permission to allow for the name change.
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Calhoun was employed at Satellite High School, in Satellite Beach - located an hour-drive southeast of Orlando, under a 10-month contract that was up for review in May.
A petition has since been launched that has been signed by more than 18,000 people, including parents of her former students.
"Ms. Calhoun, a cherished teacher will lose her teaching position in Brevard County. A dedicated educator and respected member of the community where she grew up and now greatly contributes, Ms. Calhoun is being punished merely for showing respect to a student's choices," it wrote.
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"She was reprimanded for referring to a student by the name they prefer rather than their official name - a direct blow to personal rights and respect.
"Ms. Calhoun is an embodiment of what proper education should be: inclusive, understanding, and respectful of individuality. Losing her would be a significant loss to Brevard County's education community."
It went on to applaud Calhoun for respecting her student's decision, while a statement issued by BPS details how she knew she was breaking the law by referring to the pupil by a name that was not on their birth certificate.
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Chief Strategic Communications Officer Janet Murnaghan issued the following 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."
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She continued: "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."
Joe Yates