A Colorado teacher has been Fired after an investigation found students were allegedly encouraged to kiss classmates during classroom skits that counted toward their grades.
According to Fox News, the Denver Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on May 20 to terminate Jennifer Honka, a French language and culture teacher at Northeast Early College. The board cited incompetence and neglect of duty following an independent review into complaints raised by students.
The review stated that some students reported feeling uncomfortable after being selected to participate in skits that included kissing scenes. Several students said they felt pressure to take part because the assignments affected their grades.
One student reportedly told a chemistry teacher in April 2024 that she had kissed another student at Honka’s direction despite feeling uncomfortable. The student later shared a meme featuring Honka with the caption, “she makes girls kiss,” which investigators said had circulated among students.
The report noted that the student’s attendance dropped significantly after the incident.
Investigators also heard testimony that girls were consistently chosen for the roles. One student said she could not remember a boy ever being selected to participate in the kissing scenes, despite the class having a nearly even split between male and female students.
That student refused to take part and said she received a zero on the assignment.
Another student reportedly left the classroom during one of the activities. An English teacher also testified that multiple students approached her about concerns. One student allegedly told the teacher she had been asked to kiss three different girls during a classroom skit.
The skits reportedly included titles such as “The Neighbors Saw Everything” and “The Boring Kiss,” a scenario involving two characters who were dating.
students told investigators that Honka often used a classroom rule stating “the answer is always ‘yes,’” which they believed encouraged participation in the performances.
Honka testified that she never forced students to kiss and offered alternatives, including pretending to kiss, blowing a kiss, or using fist bumps. One student involved in the review confirmed that students were sometimes allowed to pretend.
The investigation also examined allegations that Honka shared personal information with students, including discussions about fertility struggles, suicidal thoughts, and childhood abuse.
Administrative Law Judge Keith J. Kirchubel concluded that the way the skits were conducted was “irresponsible and inappropriate,” writing that students were placed in a position where they had to make personal decisions about consent and participation in front of classmates while under the authority of a teacher.
Denver Public Schools said student safety, emotional well-being, and dignity remain its highest priorities and praised the students and staff members who reported the incidents.