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Colorado Teacher Terminated After Investigation Into Classroom Skits
A Denver Public Schools board voted unanimously to terminate a French language teacher following an independent review that found students were asked to kiss during graded classroom skits. The review determined some students felt pressured because the performances counted toward grades.
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A Denver Public Schools board voted 7-0 on May 20 to terminate French language and culture teacher Jennifer Honka at Northeast Early College for incompetence and neglect of duty. " The skits involved characters who were dating, and some students reported they felt pressured to participate because the performances counted toward grades.
One student told a chemistry teacher in April 2024 about the skits and later stated she kissed another student at the teacher's direction. The review found that the students asked to kiss were always the same sex, and one student testified that the teacher always selected girls to act in the skits.
The teacher stated she did not force students to kiss and offered alternatives such as blowing a kiss or fist bumps if students were uncomfortable. She also said she had a classroom rule that "the answer is always 'yes'" to encourage participation.
The review found the teacher shared personal details with students, including fertility struggles, suicidal ideations, and child abuse experiences. She defended the disclosures as an attempt to build trust with students. A school principal filed a police report after a third student reported kissing during the skits.
An administrative law judge reviewed the case before the board reached its decision. A Denver Public Schools spokesperson stated the safety and well-being of students are the district's highest priorities and commended the students who came forward.
