Melissa Calhoun in her classroom at Satellite High School, Brevard County, Florida. She’s now fighting against the non-renewal of her teaching contract for the next 2025-2026 school year. Brevard Public Schools launched an investigation within the district after a parent filed a complaint. They alleged that Calhoun used their child’s chosen name without obtaining the necessary parental consent.
Years of advocacy Calhoun began her journey at Satellite High School in 2013. Throughout the investigation, she unabashedly told investigators that she was calling the student’s chosen name. In doing so, this action directly contravenes FL’s new law known as the “Parental Authorization for Deviation from Student’s Legal Name Form.” Most notably, the law requires teachers to get parental consent before using a name other than a student’s legal name. This law went into effect with the 2023-2024 school year.
Brevard Public Schools district chose not to renew Calhoun’s annual ten-month contract. If enacted, this contract will last until May 2025. Janet Murnaghan, a spokesperson for the district, told us that state intervention was greatly influential in their decision. Calhoun’s repeated violation of the law prompted this intervention, which had little precedent. She noted that Florida will be looking at Calhoun’s teaching credentials and behavior when it comes to her teaching certificate.
The unfortunate reality is that sometimes tragedy leads to movement. As of April 10, a Change.org petition calling for the “Reinstate Ms. Calhoun” has collected more than 14,580 signatures. Supporters argue that Calhoun significantly impacted her students’ lives, including those of her colleagues’ children.
One of his most vocal defenders was Kristine Staniec, another teacher at the school. Her testimony at the April 8 school board meeting. As to the impact of Calhoun’s work, Staniec focused on the positive impact Calhoun has made in her classroom and in the lives of her students.
“The teacher made a difference in her classroom and in the lives of our students, including my own child. She deserved more than a quiet exit. She deserved fairness, context and compassion.” – Kristine Staniec
Murnaghan reasserted the district’s commitment to parental rights, stressing the central role parents should play in decisions about their children’s education.
“There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intent, just a teacher trying to connect with a student.” – Kristine Staniec
Murnaghan stressed that the focus at Brevard Public Schools remains on education, asserting that teachers are there to educate and support students academically.
“BPS supports parents’ rights to be the primary decision-makers in their children’s lives, and Florida law affirms their right to be informed.” – Janet Murnaghan
As the situation unfolds, Melissa Calhoun’s case raises questions about the balance between educators’ efforts to create supportive environments for students and adherence to legal requirements concerning parental consent.
As the situation unfolds, Melissa Calhoun’s case raises questions about the balance between educators’ efforts to create supportive environments for students and adherence to legal requirements concerning parental consent.