Florida teacher to lose job for calling student by 'preferred' name: Latest updates | FOX 2 Detroit
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Florida teacher to lose job for calling student by 'preferred' name: Latest updates

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Published  April 10, 2025 12:39pm EDT
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FOX 35 Orlando

Teacher loses job for calling student by preferred name, Students rally

Satellite High School students walked out of class to rally in support of a teacher who was fired after using a students preferred name without their parents consent, which is a violation of state law. FOX 35's Randi Hildreth spoke to some of those students who are upset with the Brevard County School District's decision.

The Brief

    • A Florida high school teacher is set to lose her job after allegedly addressing a student by a name other than their legal one, according to Brevard Public Schools.
    • This incident seems to be the first case in which an educator will be let go due to Florida's policy, which mandates written parental consent for using a student's preferred name instead of their legal name.
    • FOX 35 News has learned the teacher is still active in the classroom, but her ten-month contract is set to expire in May. School officials said the teacher's contract will not be renewed for the next school year, pending resolution of the issue with the state.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida high school teacher is set to lose her job after allegedly addressing a student by a name other than their legal one, according to Brevard Public Schools.

This incident seems to be the first case in which an educator will be let go due to Florida's policy, which mandates written parental consent for using a student's preferred name instead of their legal name.

What happened?

What we know:

The parents of a Satellite High School student contacted the district after learning that a teacher had been referring to their child by a different name – not their legal name – without their consent, Brevard Public Schools confirmed in a statement to FOX 35 News.

FOX 35 News has received confirmation that the teacher's name is Melissa Calhoun.

RELATED | Mixed reactions over new policy requiring permission slips to use students' nicknames

The district stated that it had launched an investigation, and Calhoun received a letter of reprimand after admitting to knowingly failing to comply with Florida statute.

Calhoun's contract will not be renewed for the next school year pending resolution of the issue with the state, which plans to review her teaching certificate, the district confirmed. 

What name did the teacher allegedly call the student?

What we don't know:

The school district did not disclose the name the student was being called.

FOX 35 News has learned Calhoun is still active in the classroom, but her 10-month contract is set to expire in May.

‘This directly violates state law’

What they're saying:

In a statement, Brevard Public Schools spokesperson, Yvette Cruz, said the incident "directly violates state law" and emphasized that the school district supports parents' rights to be the primary decision-makers in their children's lives.

MORE | Some Florida school districts requiring permission slips to use students' nicknames

"Teachers, like all employees, are expected to follow the law," Cruz said. "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," Cruz added. 

What is Florida's policy regarding student names?

Big picture view:

In 2023, the Florida Department of Education approved a new rule that requires school districts to develop a form to obtain written parental permission for the use of student nicknames other than their legal names, in response to Florida Statute 1000.071, or House Bill 1069.

Here is what that form looks like for Brevard Public Schools:

It reads: "Florida Statute 1000.071 provides the authority for the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement statutes. In June 2023, the Florida State Board of Education approved changes to Rule 6A1.0955 stating that school districts will adopt policy and procedures to address "provisions for parents to specify the use of any deviation from their child’s legal name in school. School districts will develop a form to obtain parental consent along with any required documentation, as appropriate."

What is HB 1069?

Dig deeper:

HB 1069 is a Florida education bill that defines "sex" and sets rules on titles and pronouns and revises reproductive health and human sexuality instruction requirements, according to The Florida Senate's website.

The bill also assigns the responsibility for classroom library materials to district school boards, revises the procedures and provisions for objecting to certain materials, and updates the duties of school principals, school districts, and district school boards regarding these materials.

See the bill below: 

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, which took effect July 1, 2023.

"Florida is proud to lead the way in standing up for our children," DeSantis previously stated after signing the bill. "As the world goes mad, Florida represents a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy."

The other side:

The ACLU of Florida issued the following statement on X after the bill was signed into law:

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Brevard Public Schools and the Florida Department of Education. 

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