Teacher Fired for Making Students Kiss in Graded Skits
A Colorado French teacher was fired after an investigation found she directed students to kiss during graded classroom performances, with allegations focusing on same-sex pairings.
The Denver Public Schools board unanimously voted 7-0 on May 20 to terminate Jennifer Honka, a French language and culture instructor at Northeast Early College, citing incompetence and neglect of duty, according to New York Post. The decision came after findings that Honka had repeatedly encouraged students to kiss during in-class theatrical exercises.
An independent review completed on April 30 uncovered that the students allegedly pressed to kiss were consistently of the same sex, New York Post reports. The document, obtained through the investigation, detailed troubling patterns in the teacher’s classroom practices.
The matter first came to light in April 2024 when a student confided in a chemistry teacher about the uncomfortable skits. The student reported feeling pressured and ultimately kissed another student at Honka’s instruction. Afterward, the student shared a digital meme featuring Honka’s picture with the caption referencing that she makes girls kiss. The meme had been circulating among students at the school.
Following the incident, the affected student’s class attendance dropped sharply, the investigation found.
Pattern of Same-Sex Pairings Emerges
According to testimony gathered in the independent review, Honka consistently selected female students to perform in the skits, despite the class having roughly equal numbers of male and female students. One student interviewed stated she could not remember Honka ever choosing a male actor. That student refused to participate and received a zero grade for the assignment.
Another student walked out of the class entirely. An English teacher at the school reported that multiple students approached her with concerns. One student appeared visibly distressed and told the English teacher she had been asked to kiss three other girls during a single one of Honka’s skits.
The performances in question were titled “The Neighbors Saw Everything” and “The Boring Kiss,” both involving characters in romantic relationships. These skits occurred biweekly and contributed to students’ performance grades.
Classroom Environment and Pressure Tactics
Students reported that Honka maintained a classroom rule stating that the answer is always yes, which she used to push student participation in the theatrical assignments. The teacher had also disclosed to the class that she identified as a lesbian and was an LGBTQ supporter.
Jennifer Warren, principal at Northeast Early College, filed a police report with the Denver Police Department after a third student came forward about the kissing during class skits.
In her defense, Honka testified that she did not force students to kiss and offered alternatives such as blowing a kiss or fist bumps for uncomfortable students. One complaining student did acknowledge in the review that Honka would allow students to pretend to kiss.
Inappropriate Personal Disclosures
The investigation also revealed that Honka shared deeply personal information with students, including details about fertility struggles, suicidal thoughts, and being a victim of child abuse. She justified these disclosures by claiming she was attempting to build trust with students. However, one student who was struggling with suicidal ideation reportedly walked out of her class after such discussions.
Keith J. Kirchubel, a Colorado administrative law judge who authored the independent review, wrote that regardless of whether Honka forced participants to kiss, her choice of script compelled students to express preferences and consent about a highly personal and sexualized activity immediately in front of peers.
The students were also forced to decide in the moment whether they were comfortable objecting to their teacher, who held authority over them and their grades, Kirchubel noted.
While using skits as a teaching method for French language instruction may have merit in principle, the way Honka implemented it was irresponsible and inappropriate, the judge concluded.
Teacher Appears at New School
Despite her termination, Honka now appears to be listed as an English language development teacher on the website of Malley Drive Elementary School in Northglenn, Colorado.
Scott Pribble, director of external communications for Denver Public Schools, stated that student safety, emotional well-being, and dignity are the absolute highest priorities of the district. Following a thorough investigation and independent review by a state administrative law judge, the school board voted unanimously to terminate Honka’s employment after determining her actions failed to protect students.
With information from New York Post
