A Florida high school teacher lost his job after using a student’s favorite name without the consent of his parents, the first known teacher in burning under a state law implemented the last school year.
Melissa Calhoun, Satellite High School teacher in Brevard County, learned that the contract will not be renewed next year after she called a student with a different name without obtaining a signed form from her parents, according to the district officials.
Belvard’s public schools “support parents’ rights to be the main decision makers in the lives of their children, and Florida’s law affirms their right to be informed,” said spokeswoman Janet Murnaghan district to Florida Today.
Calhoun is the first educator known in Florida to lose his work under a state law of Sunshine signed by Governor Ron Desantis before the start of the 2023-2024 school year who requests to obtain the parents’ permission before calling a student with a different name of his legal.
Calhoun, who had taught at school for 11 years, respected the request of a student whose legal name is associated with girls, said a person familiar with the situation to Washington Post.
The student’s parents notified the school that Calhoun called their son with his favorite name, which caused an investigation. The teacher supposedly admitted that “knowingly did not comply with the State Statute.”
As a result, the district decided not to renew Calhoun’s annual contract, since the State reviews its teaching credential for violating state law, in accordance with the exit.
“The teacher is working under a ten -month contract that expires in May 2025,” Mutaghan’s statement continued. “Since the State will review its teaching certificate based on these actions, the district decided not to renew the annual contract until the problem is resolved with the State.”
The dismissal has caused indignation in the local community, and many speak against the move at the Fiery Education Board meeting on Tuesday night, clicking reported.
“The teacher made the difference in her classroom and in the life of our students, including my own son. She deserved more than a quiet exit. He deserved justice, context and compassion,” said Staniec, Saidie.
Student groups protested against the shots of Calhoun outside or at Satellite High School on Thursday.
A petition on Change.org demanding the reincorporation of Calhoun has accumulated more than 18,000 signatures in the last three days.
“Mrs. Calhoun is an incarnation of what should be clean education: inclusive, comprehensive and respectful of individuality. Losing it would be a significant loss for the educational community of Brevard County,” the petition said.