BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The former Brevard County teacher who lost her job over calling a student by their preferred name and was at the center of a statewide debate over parental rights is telling her side of the story for the first time.
The debate was sparked after former Satellite High School teacher Melissa Calhoun violated state law by using a student’s preferred name without parental permission.
Calhoun said she was relieved to reach a settlement with the state, which allows her to keep her teaching certificate. A state board last week agreed that she can keep her license to teach, though she is on probation for a year and faces fines.
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Despite keeping her teaching certificate, the Brevard County superintendent has made it clear that Calhoun’s return to the classroom would not be in Brevard County - at least this year.
News 6’s Ginger Gadsden spoke with Calhoun about her future. It is the first time we are hearing her side of the story.
She told Ginger she didn’t realize she was breaking any rule.
“That student actually requested to go by a particular name and so, like most teachers when there is a request, I simply complied,” she said.
[WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Brevard school board member calls for reinstating teacher losing job over student’s ‘preferred’ name]
Calhoun said she had known the student for years and her actions weren’t political. When Brevard County did not renew her contract, it sparked protests by students, faculty and parents.
“There wasn’t any intention to subvert this parent’s wishes. This happened out of habit and frankly was an unfortunate oversight on my part,” Calhoun said.
Prior to the state board agreeing she could keep her teaching certificate, the school district said they were not sure if she would be allowed to teach.
However, Brevard County Superintendent Mark Rendell said it was not a case of confusion and at this point, the district will not rehire her.
The following statement from Rendell was issued Tuesday:
The Florida Department of Education has issued a formal reprimand and placed a former Brevard Public School teacher, Melissa Calhoun, on a one-year probation for knowingly and repeatedly violating state law by referring to a student by a name that did not match their biological gender, without parental consent.
As Superintendent, I want to reaffirm our district’s unwavering commitment to parental rights. Teachers hold a powerful position of influence, and that influence must never override the rights of parents to be involved in critical decisions affecting their children. This was not a mistake. This was a conscious and deliberate decision to engage in gender affirmation without parental knowledge. We notify parents when students are absent or struggling with classwork; it is unacceptable to withhold information on matters of such personal significance.
This was not a case of confusion or lack of training.
Statute 1000.071 directed the state board of education to adopt rules to implement the statute; 6A-1.0955 is an administrative law that school districts are required to follow. Mrs. Calhoun has acknowledged that her actions were intentional and that she was aware of the law and violated it. That is deeply troubling.
We must have trust in our teachers to act in partnership with families, not come between parents and their children, especially when it comes to these meaningful conversations.
While the state has chosen to allow this individual to retain their certification under probation, I believe it is appropriate that the full term of that probation be completed before any consideration of employment.
Our district will always prioritize the law, the trust of our families, and the rights of parents.
Brevard County Superintendent Mark Rendell
Calhoun said it was disheartening to hear those words from the superintendent, but she’s focused on teaching elsewhere.
On top of the one-year probation, Calhoun’s settlement includes a letter of reprimand, a $750 fee and a requirement that she must also take a college-level ethics course.
[WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE: News 6 interviews Brevard Schools superintendent over teacher, preferred name law]