Students, parents and teachers continue to speak out in the case of Brevard County school teacher Melissa Calhoun, a veteran educator at Satellite High School in Brevard County, Florida. Calhoun, as of now, will not have her teaching contract renewed following a February 2025 incident in which she used a student’s preferred name without parental consent, violating a 2023 Florida state law.
The District’s decision, announced on April 2, 2025, has ignited community protests, including a student walkout on April 10, 2025, and a Change.org petition surpassing 11,000 signatures, highlighting the contentious debate over parental rights and gender identity in Florida’s schools. Backing the district’s decision, some parents are speaking out, saying the District did the right thing.
Calhoun, who has taught in Brevard Public Schools for 11 years and at Satellite High School since August 2019, was placed on administrative leave on March 10, 2025, after a parental complaint prompted an internal investigation. She has returned to the classroom to finish the school year, as confirmed by district statements.
The initial complaint stemmed from Calhoun’s use of a student’s preferred name, which was related to the student’s gender identity, without obtaining written parental permission as mandated by Florida’s 2023 Parental Rights in Education law as stated by Brevard Public School’s Chief Strategic Communications Officer, Janet Murnaghan to Florida Today. Enacted on July 1, 2023, the law requires educators to secure parental consent before using any name other than a student’s legal name, a policy tied to Governor Ron DeSantis’s educational reforms.
During the District’s investigation, finalized on March 28, 2025, Calhoun allegedly admitted to intentionally not complying with the state statute. She received a formal letter of reprimand, and Brevard Public Schools decided not to renew her annual ten-month contract, set to expire on May 30, 2025. Calhoun has been teaching for eleven years. In an attempt to protect the privacy of the student involved in this case, the District has released no information about the student’s identity, what name Calhoun was using for the student, or Calhoun’s disciplinary history. Calhoun has not publicly commented on the incident.
Janet Murnaghan, Chief Strategic Communications Officer for Brevard Public Schools, stated on April 3, 2025, that the district is “committed to supporting parents’ rights to be the primary decision-makers for their children.” The Florida Department of Education is currently reviewing Calhoun’s teaching certificate, with no reinstatement possible until the review concludes, according to district officials.
The incident has galvanized the Satellite Beach community. On April 7, 2025, a Change.org petition titled “Reinstate Ms. Calhoun: Advocate for Respect and Student Rights at Satellite High School” was launched, amassing over 11,000 signatures by April 14, 2025. Students organized a walkout on April 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., with approximately 200 participants marching outside Satellite High School to protest the district’s decision.
Kristine Staniec, a media specialist at the school, voiced support on April 9, 2025, saying, “Ms. Calhoun has been an incredible influence on my own child and countless others.” Additional protests, including a planned rally on April 17, 2025, have been announced by student organizers.
This case is the first reported instance of a Florida teacher facing dismissal for violating the 2023 name law, as noted by education officials on April 8, 2025. Calhoun’s teaching career in Brevard County began in August 2014, with prior employment at DeLaura Middle School from 2014 to 2019 before transitioning to Satellite High School. The non-renewal decision has drawn scrutiny as it reflects Florida’s enforcement of policies prioritizing parental authority, which critics argue restricts educators’ ability to support students exploring gender identity.
The ongoing state review of Calhoun’s certificate, initiated on April 5, 2025, leaves her future in education uncertain. Brevard Public Schools reiterated its stance on April 11, 2025, emphasizing compliance with state law while acknowledging the community’s response. Neither Calhoun nor her representatives have issued public statements since her leave began.
