Story perspectives

Teacher Sues St. Johns Schools Over Transgender Dismissal

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Shepard Scalf, a sixth-grade language arts teacher, filed an EEOC complaint alleging the St. Johns County School District dismissed him because they perceived him as transgender despite his exemplary record.
The filing notes Scalf was assigned female at birth, identifies as male, and the district used a “Mr. Scalf” placard.
After a principal’s emergency meeting on August 29, 2025, union counsel advised Scalf to resign, leading him to quit rather than face termination.

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Story summary

Shepard Scalf, a sixth-grade language arts teacher, filed an EEOC complaint alleging the St. Johns County School District dismissed him because they perceived him as transgender despite his exemplary record.
The filing notes Scalf was assigned female at birth, identifies as male, and the district used a “Mr. Scalf” placard.
After a principal’s emergency meeting on August 29, 2025, union counsel advised Scalf to resign, leading him to quit rather than face termination.