Florida Teacher Dismissed for Using Student’s Nickname

Melissa Calhoun, an Advanced Placement English teacher at Satellite High School in Brevard County, Florida, has become the first educator in the state to be dismissed for using a student’s preferred nickname that did not align with the student’s legal name, as defined by a controversial law passed in 2023. The law requires written parental consent for any deviation from a student’s legal name or pronouns in the classroom, regardless of the reason or the student’s wishes .

The events leading to Calhoun’s dismissal began when a parent discovered that teachers were referring to their child—a transgender student—by a chosen male name rather than the legal name on school records. The parent filed a formal complaint, triggering a district investigation . Calhoun admitted during the inquiry that she had used the student’s preferred name, stating she was unaware this constituted a violation of state policy .

The Florida statute at the heart of this controversy was enacted in 2023 as part of a broader series of educational reforms restricting classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation. The law specifically mandates that teachers must use only the names and pronouns matching a student’s legal documentation unless explicit, written parental permission is provided . Critics note that this policy not only affects transgender and nonbinary students but could also apply to any student who wishes to use a nickname or shortened version of their name, such as “Matt” for “Matthew,” unless the proper paperwork is filed .

Following a thorough investigation, Brevard Public Schools decided not to renew Calhoun’s 10-month contract, which expires in the coming month. The district cited her violation of multiple policies, including the state’s statute affirming that “a person’s sex is an immutable biological trait” and prohibiting the use of pronouns or names that do not correspond to that trait without parental consent . In addition to her contract non-renewal, Calhoun’s teaching certificate is now under state review, threatening her future career in education .

The case has drawn significant attention from LGBTQ+ advocates, educators, and community members who argue that such policies foster a hostile environment for both LGBTQ+ students and supportive staff. Kristine Staniec, a media specialist at Satellite High School, publicly criticized the school board at an April 8 meeting, stating that the non-renewal was, in effect, a covert dismissal and called for greater transparency in the district’s actions .

The parent who filed the complaint also voiced broader suspicions, questioning whether the student was being influenced by staff or participating in the school’s Gender & Sexualities Alliances club, which had already been disbanded due to waning participation .

Advocates for LGBTQ+ youth, including national organizations, have condemned the law and the district’s handling of the incident. They argue that denying students the right to be addressed by their affirmed names can have significant negative impacts on mental health and well-being. Research cited by leading LGBTQ+ organizations shows that respecting a transgender or nonbinary student’s chosen name and pronouns is linked to reduced rates of depression and suicide among young people .

Calhoun’s case is viewed as a bellwether for teachers and staff across Florida, as it is the first widely reported instance of a teacher losing their job under the new naming and pronoun law . As school districts across the state implement these policies, educators face increasing uncertainty and risk for actions intended to support students’ identities.

The Florida Board of Education is scheduled to review Calhoun’s teaching certificate in a hearing, with her future in education hanging in the balance . Meanwhile, the incident has sparked calls for policy review and legislative change from LGBTQ+ rights groups and civil liberties organizations, who continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of all students in Florida’s public schools .

As the debate over classroom inclusivity and parental rights continues, the consequences of Florida’s legislative approach are now playing out in real time for students and educators across the state.