For years, Jennifer Honka appeared to be the kind of teacher any school district would want to keep. The Denver Public Schools French instructor had more than two decades of teaching experience, earned the highest possible district evaluations for three consecutive years, and spent eight years teaching French Language and Culture at Northeast Early College.
Today, that career is over.
On May 20, the Denver Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously, 7-0, to terminate Honka's employment after a district investigation and an independent review concluded that her classroom conduct demonstrated incompetence and neglect of duty. The vote came after the board met in executive session. No public discussion preceded the decision.
The controversy began during the 2023-24 school year when students started reporting concerns about classroom skits used as part of French-language instruction. Several students alleged they were pressured into participating in scenes that required classmates to kiss one another.
According to an independent review conducted by Colorado Administrative Law Judge Keith J. Kirchubel, students consistently reported that the roles involving kisses were assigned to female students. One student told investigators she could not recall a single instance in which a male student was selected for those parts despite the class being roughly evenly divided between boys and girls.
The complaints painted a troubling picture.
One student reported feeling uncomfortable when directed to kiss another girl during a skit. According to the review, the student complied because she did not know how to respond in the moment. The incident became significant enough that a meme reportedly circulated among students featuring a picture of Honka with the caption, "she makes girls kiss."
Investigators noted that the student's attendance dropped dramatically afterward.
Another student refused to participate and received a zero on the assignment. A different student reportedly walked out of class altogether.
The skits at the center of the controversy included titles such as "The Neighbors Saw Everything" and "The Boring Kiss." The latter script contained multiple moments where characters were instructed to kiss. Students told investigators that participation in the bi-weekly skits affected their grades, increasing the pressure to comply.
One student also reported that Honka frequently referenced a classroom rule stating that "the answer is always yes," which students felt discouraged objections to classroom activities.
Honka denied forcing students to kiss. She told investigators that alternatives were available, including pretending to kiss, blowing kisses, or substituting gestures such as fist bumps. At least one student acknowledged that alternatives were sometimes permitted.
Still, Kirchubel concluded that the issue went beyond whether students were physically compelled.
"Regardless of whether (Honka) 'forced' the participants to kiss, her choice of script forced them to express their preferences and consent about a very personal and sexualized activity on the spot in front of their peers," he wrote.
The review uncovered additional concerns beyond the skits themselves.
Students and staff reported that Honka frequently shared highly personal information in class, including details about childhood abuse, infertility struggles, and thoughts of suicide. Honka defended those disclosures as efforts to build trust and create a safe environment where students felt comfortable speaking with an adult.
The judge disagreed.
How did this even happen?
A Denver teacher was unanimously dismissed after reportedly making female students kiss each other for a grade.
That is not teaching and it's a complete failure to protect students.
Every parent should be outraged! pic.twitter.com/WmVEIo2OYN
— 1776 Project PAC | Text 1776 to 76176 (@1776ProjectPac) June 17, 2026
One student who had experienced suicidal thoughts reportedly left class after one such discussion. Although Honka said she was unaware of the student's mental health history, Kirchubel concluded that her disclosures were reckless and demonstrated poor judgment.
The review described a broader pattern of behavior that prioritized personal expression over students' emotional well-being.
"Her choice of skits, her implementation of them, and her repeated disclosure of sensitive and potentially traumatizing information amounted to incompetence and neglect of duty," Kirchubel wrote.
The controversy also touched on allegations of discrimination. Honka, who openly discussed being a lesbian and active in LGBTQ advocacy, argued that she was being targeted because of her sexual orientation. However, the review noted that while she had filed numerous grievances against the district through the teachers' union, none alleged discrimination.
Kirchubel also criticized comments in which Honka attributed student objections to their Christian backgrounds, writing that such remarks carried "their own discriminatory ring."
After the district recommended termination, Honka exercised her right to appeal under Colorado law. That process led to the independent hearing before Kirchubel, who ultimately endorsed the district's recommendation.
Faced with options that included retaining Honka, placing her on probation, or terminating her employment, the school board chose termination unanimously.
Denver Public Schools defended the decision in a statement emphasizing that student safety and emotional well-being remain its highest priorities. District officials also praised the students who came forward and the staff members who fulfilled their obligations as mandatory reporters.