A Florida high school teacher is at the center of controversy after her teaching contract was not renewed for calling a student by their preferred name without receiving prior permission from the student’s parents. The decision by Brevard Public Schools in Satellite Beach has sparked widespread community backlash and a wave of support for the teacher, who is being hailed as a compassionate educator by students, parents, and colleagues.
The incident occurred at Satellite High School when a parent reported the teacher for using a name other than the student’s legal name. According to the district, this violated a state law requiring written parental consent for such changes. The district stated that the teacher acknowledged she did not follow the law and was issued a formal reprimand following an internal investigation.
While the teacher has not been publicly named, the school district confirmed that she is still working under a 10-month contract set to expire soon. Officials also said her teaching certificate is under state review, and the district will not renew her contract until the state’s evaluation is complete.
Florida law prohibits public school employees from using a student’s preferred name or pronouns unless it aligns with the student’s sex assigned at birth and is accompanied by parental approval. These regulations are part of a broader legislative push that emphasizes parental rights in education and limits classroom discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation.
The teacher’s supporters argue that the policy undermines student autonomy and harms those seeking acceptance in the classroom. A Change.org petition advocating for the teacher’s reinstatement has garnered more than 26,000 signatures, with many former students and local residents praising her as an inclusive and respectful educator.
On campus, students held a brief walkout in protest of the district’s decision. Additionally, staff members and parents voiced their dismay at a recent school board meeting. Kristine Staniec, a Satellite High media specialist whose child was taught by the teacher, criticized the lack of transparency in the process and said the teacher deserved more respect for her contributions to the school community.
The controversy comes as Florida continues to enforce and expand legislation that critics argue targets LGBTQ+ rights. The “Parental Rights in Education” law, often referred to by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, restricts discussions of gender and sexual identity in schools and requires that parents be notified of any changes impacting their children’s well-being.
Across the U.S., similar laws are taking root in several states, limiting the ways teachers can support LGBTQ+ students. Experts warn that such policies may negatively affect student mental health and academic performance. Advocates for LGBTQ+ youth say being referred to by chosen names and pronouns can significantly reduce feelings of isolation and prevent serious mental health issues, including depression and suicidal thoughts.
Some civil rights groups have taken legal action against these restrictions, arguing that the laws’ vague language discourages teachers from addressing LGBTQ+ topics or supporting students in meaningful ways. In Florida, past cases include teachers investigated for showing movies featuring gay characters or expressing aspects of their own identities.
Education advocates caution that the enforcement of such laws places educators in difficult positions, where showing empathy toward students may come at the cost of their jobs. The case at Satellite High School appears to be one of the first where a teacher has been formally penalized for violating policies related to student name and pronoun use.
As the debate continues, supporters of the teacher hope to reverse the district’s decision, arguing that her intentions were rooted in respect and connection. Speaking to school board members, Staniec questioned the fairness of punishing a teacher for what she described as a minor mistake made in good faith.
“She wasn’t trying to cause harm,” Staniec said. “She was trying to support a student — and for that, she lost her future with our schools. Where is the justice in that?”
