A TEACHER has been fired from the school she worked at for over a decade after she refused to call a student by their legal name.

High school educator Melissa Calhoun violated a state regulation by addressing a student using their preferred name, which led to the school choosing not to renew her employment contract.

Calhoun, who had served her school district for 11 years, was notified that her contract would not be renewed due to her use of students’ preferred names instead of their legal names.

The student had reportedly asked Calhoun to call them a different name than their legally assigned one.

In the state where this occurred, parental consent in writing is required for teachers to use a student’s preferred name instead of their given name.

The student’s parent never gave Calhoun written permission to use the preferred name, prompting the parents to complain to the school district.

Community members defended the beloved Satellite High School teacher after discovering her teaching contract wouldn’t be renewed.

“The teacher made a difference in her classroom and in the lives of our students, including my own child,” school employee Kristine Staniec said at a board meeting, according to CBS affiliate WKMG.

“She deserved more than a quiet exit. She deserved fairness, context, and compassion.”

The district claimed Calhoun knowingly defied the law, which led to her termination.

“Bervard Public Schools supports parents’ rights to be the primary decision-makers in their children’s lives, and Florida law affirms their right to be informed,” the school said in a statement.

“After the accusation was made, the district conducted a detailed investigation. Based on the teacher’s own admission that she knowingly did not comply with state statute, she received a letter of reprimand. 

“Teachers, like all employees, are expected to follow the law.”

Staneic argues that the teacher had no “malicious” intent despite violating the law.

“There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intent, just a teacher trying to connect with a student,” Staniec said.

Community members created a Change.org petition to reinstate the teacher.

“Ms. Calhoun is an embodiment of what proper education should be: inclusive, understanding, and respectful of individuality,” the petition reads.

“Losing her would be a significant loss to Brevard County’s education community.

“It is in the best interest of our kids, their future, our community, and the continuous development of an inclusive educational environment for us to stand with Ms. Calhoun.”

The petition has over 22,000 signatures of community members who are outraged by the firing.

“I was absolutely disgusted to hear about the injustice that has been inflicted upon Mrs Calhoun, for simply being respectful of her students request,” one petitioner wrote. 

“I wholeheartedly support the reinstatement of this incredible teacher…She is truly one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I’ve ever met.”

The Bervard public school district did not immediately reply to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.