French teacher who “makes girls kiss” fired from Denver Public Schools

Denver Public Schools terminated foreign language teacher Jennifer Honka, who was accused of forcing same-sex students to kiss during class skits.

CBS News said:

Honka’s classroom instruction first came into question during the 2023-24 school year. She had received the highest possible rating in district assessments…then students approached other teachers and complained about skits in Honka’s class in which they were asked to kiss one another.

According to Washington Times:

One student who testified directly in the independent review said she could not recall Ms. Honka ever selecting a male student to perform in the skits, despite an approximately even split of boys and girls in the class. That student refused to participate and received a zero on the assignment. Another walked out of the class. A third reported to an English teacher that she had been asked to kiss three other girls in one skit.

Per CBS’s findings, Honka posted a classroom rule on her wall that said “the answer is always yes.” The phrase was reportedly referenced by Honka as a way to “pressure students to take part in the skits.”

Honka later testified that she “did not force students to kiss” but gave them “alternatives such as blowing a kiss or ‘fist bumps’ if they were uncomfortable.’” This was corroborated by another student witness who said Honka “would allow students to pretend to kiss.”

Honka, who identifies as a lesbian, did not chose male actors for her skits, according to witnesses. Other complaints reported by students were revealed in an article from The Sentinel:

—Honka told students her sign was conceived using sperm from her aunt’s husband

—Honka revealed a history of child abuse by her parents

—Honka made students hold a balloon between their bodies and pass it around without using their hands

—Honka described having suicidal ideations in detail to students 

Despite complaints and accusations dating back nearly three years, Honka was only terminated after the independent review in May 2026.

Honka had worked as a French teacher at Northeast Early College for eight years. During her time in Denver Public Schools, she reportedly filed 18 complaints against the district claiming discrimination based on her sexual orientation.

The school board voted unanimously (7-0) to terminate Honka. The district also released a statement that said, in part, “The safety, emotional well-being, and dignity of our students are the absolute highest priorities.”

As of publication, no criminal charges have been filed against Honka.