1,000 signatures reached
To: Florida Board of Education and Governor Ron DeSantis
Fight for the freedom to teach—Reinstate Florida Teacher Melissa Calhoun NOW!
Melissa Calhoun just became the first Florida teacher to be fired for respecting and using a student’s preferred name. She’s been working in the Brevard County School District in Florida since 2013—but as of May 2025, her contract will not be renewed.
After the student’s parents found out Calhoun was using her student’s preferred name without a signed letter of parental consent, they sparked an investigation, which could ultimately throw her teaching license into jeopardy.
The freedom to build trust and rapport with students is essential to creating a welcoming educational environment where students can learn best. Republicans’ anti-trans attacks on our communities will only serve to make our schools less safe, less compassionate, and less effective.
This isn’t just about one person, it’s about educators and teaching staff everywhere. Teachers should have the freedom to teach—and that includes being able to engage and respect their students.
This isn’t just about one person, it’s about educators and teaching staff everywhere. Teachers should have the freedom to teach—and that includes being able to engage and respect their students.
Sign the petition demanding that Melissa Calhoun have her contract renewed now >>
Why is this important?
In 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the "Parental Authorization for Deviation from Student's Legal Name Form" rule that requires teachers and school administrators to get parental permission to use alternative names for students.
This is an unprecedented attack on teachers—punishing them for creating safe environments for their students. The rule is so extreme that it covers nicknames, but its ultimate aim is a thinly veiled attempt to humiliate transgender students, putting them in potentially dangerous situations at school and at home.
Florida teachers are also expressly forbidden from educating their students on issues related to sexual orientation or gender identity, and state law prohibits anyone in a school from being required to use a person’s preferred pronouns.
Anti-trans laws have a devastating impact on young people and their mental health. We can’t accept attacks against educators who show up for their students. Add your name now!