Denver School Board Fires French Teacher Over Classroom Skits

The Denver Public Schools board voted 7-0 on May 20 to fire French language and culture teacher Jennifer Honka at Northeast Early College. An independent review completed April 30 found that Honka at times directed students to kiss during biweekly French class skits that counted toward grades.

Students who participated were always the same sex, and several reported feeling pressured because refusal affected their performance scores.

The student's attendance then dropped sharply. Another student testified she was selected to kiss three other girls in one skit and received a zero when she refused to participate. Honka told investigators she did not force participation and offered alternatives such as blowing a kiss or fist bumps.

She also said she disclosed personal details including fertility struggles to build trust with students. Administrative law judge Keith J. Kirchubel wrote that the skits forced students to express consent about a personal activity in front of peers and called the implementation irresponsible.

Pribble, director of external communications for Denver Public Schools, said the board acted after determining Honka's actions did not protect students' best interests. He added that the district prioritizes student safety and commended students and staff who reported the incidents.

Honka is now listed as an English language development teacher at Malley Drive Elementary School in Northglenn, Colorado.