Teacher Fired Over Student's Chosen Name Won't Return to Class - Articles of Education
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Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Teacher Fired Over Student's Chosen Name Won't Return to Class

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Background of the Controversy

A little less than a week after a Florida Department of Education committee cleared a Brevard teacher to return to the classroom, Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Rendell announced that the district would not rehire her. The teacher, Melissa Calhoun, was initially removed from her position at Satellite High School for using a student's chosen name without parental permission. This action violated a 2023 Florida Board of Education rule that requires parental consent for students to use names other than their legal names.

Settlement and Probation

Calhoun reached a settlement with the Florida Department of Education on July 30, which allowed her to return to teaching under one-year probation. As part of the agreement, she received a written letter of reprimand, paid a $750 fee to the FLDOE committee, and was required to complete a college-level ethics course. Despite this, Calhoun applied for a job at Brevard Public Schools the following day, but Rendell stated on August 5 that the district would not rehire her.

Superintendent’s Statement

In an emailed statement, Rendell emphasized the district's commitment to parental rights. He stated that while the state had allowed Calhoun to retain her certification under probation, the full term of that probation should be completed before any consideration of employment. "Teachers hold a powerful position of influence, and that influence must never override the rights of parents to be involved in critical decisions affecting their children," he said.

Calhoun’s Response

Calhoun criticized Rendell’s decision, arguing that it undermined educators within the district. She claimed that the superintendent was advocating for a suspension, which was outside his authority. "That is the decision of the (Education Practices Commission), that third-party panel that made that decision. So he's advocating for double jeopardy in this case."

District Investigation and Context

The district's investigation revealed that Calhoun had taught the student prior to the rule's passage and did not realize the student didn't have permission to go by that name. The name she used reflected the student's gender identity. Calhoun admitted to using the student's chosen name but claimed she was unaware that the student did not have permission, stating she had not checked to see if the parents had submitted a signed form through FOCUS, the academic platform used by BPS.

Legal and Policy Violations

Calhoun acknowledged that her actions were intentional and that she was aware of the law and violated it. However, she described her actions as a "complete oversight" and admitted to using the student's chosen name. She immediately followed the state rule upon learning the student did not have permission to go by that name, telling the student she must call them their given name.

Decision Not to Renew Contract

Rendell opted to not renew Calhoun’s contract, citing uncertainty about how the Florida Department of Education might handle her case. Janet Murnaghan, a district representative, explained that the decision was based on the lack of historical data to guide the district on a FLDOE response to the violation. The district wanted to avoid starting the 2025-2026 school year with a teacher whose license may be revoked by the state, leaving them without a teacher midyear.

Public Reaction and Support

Calhoun expressed concerns that the publicity surrounding her case might have influenced the superintendent’s decision. She highlighted that her students maintained high grades throughout the controversy, with some achieving the highest scores in the district. School board member John Thomas called for Calhoun’s reinstatement, expressing deep concern over Rendell’s decision and the judgment that led to it.

Union Response

The Brevard Federation of Teachers condemned Rendell’s decision, calling it a politically motivated injustice. They praised Calhoun’s work, noting her nearly flawless evaluations during her more than 12 years as an educator in Brevard. The union urged the superintendent and school board to reverse the decision and rehire Calhoun.

Conclusion

The situation has sparked a broader debate about the balance between parental rights and student autonomy, particularly regarding gender identity. While the district and state have taken steps to address the issue, the controversy highlights the complexities of navigating educational policies and personal beliefs.

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