Brevard County residents protest in support of teacher at school board meeting

[Jessica_Rose]

(Florida) Brevard County residents protest in support of teacher at school board meeting

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/brevard-county-residents-protest-in-support-of-teacher-at-school-board-meeting/ar-AA1DqxtO?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=b2961e578634416b8927627c0f1f38ea&ei=24

Story by Gail Paschall-Brown and Matt Leonard (22 April 2025)

Dozens of parents, teachers and students held a rally outside the Brevard County School Board meeting on Tuesday to protest in support of a local teacher after learning her contract would not be renewed.

Satellite High School AP English teacher Melissa Calhoun will not be returning to teach in Brevard County next year after she referred to a student by a name other than their legal name, and without parental permission.

A Florida law passed in 2023 requires written parental consent for schoolteachers and staff to call a student something other than their legal name

"I hate to see such a good teacher and amazing person go," said Satellite High School student Audrey Ciccone.

Heather Hilliard, another Satellite High School student, said, "It is absolutely despicable the way that she's been treated by this government and the school board. And I think that it's my duty as a student and a member of this community to stand up and do what's right."

"Are we serving students with excellence or are we ruining teachers that follow your policy in recognizing student rights?" asked Karen Staniec, a parent at the meeting.

"What Ms. Calhoun did was life support for this student. It is rare in this world that we come across educators of Ms. Calhoun's caliber. When we do, we must uplift and celebrate them," said Jen Cousins, an LGBTQ+ civil rights advocate.