Overview

• Melissa Calhoun, a teacher at Satellite High School in Brevard County, Florida, will not have her contract renewed for the 2025-2026 school year after violating House Bill 1069.
• The 2023 law mandates that school employees must obtain parental permission before using a student's preferred name or pronouns, even for nicknames.
• Calhoun admitted to knowingly using the student's preferred name without parental authorization, prompting a complaint from the student's parent and a subsequent investigation by the school district.
• Community members, including parents and students, have rallied in support of Calhoun, with over 10,000 signatures on a petition advocating for her reinstatement.
• While Calhoun will continue teaching through the current school year, her teaching certificate is under review by Florida authorities, leaving her future in the state's education system uncertain.