Florida Teacher Loses Job for Using Student's Preferred Name Without Parental Consent

The case marks the first enforcement of a 2023 rule requiring legal names in schools, igniting protests and national debate over identity rights in education.

• A Florida teacher's contract was not renewed after addressing a student by their preferred name instead of their legal name, violating a state rule implemented in August 2023.
• The rule mandates that teachers must use a student's legal name unless parental written consent is provided, applying to all name preferences, including nicknames and names reflecting gender identity.
• This is reportedly the first instance of a teacher losing their job over the naming rule, highlighting its strict enforcement in Florida schools.
• The decision has led to protests, including a colleague's defense of the teacher, an online petition with nearly 17,000 signatures, and widespread public criticism of the policy.
• The incident is part of a broader cultural and political clash over educational policies in the U.S., particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights, gender identity, and curriculum content restrictions.

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