Denver School Board Fires HS French Teacher After Investigation Into Same-Sex Kissing Skits
A Denver Public Schools French teacher has been fired following an independent review that concluded classroom activities and personal disclosures amounted to “incompetence and neglect of duty,” according to court findings and district records.
The case centered on allegations that students were directed to participate in scripted role-play exercises involving kissing scenarios and were exposed to sensitive personal information shared by the teacher.
Jennifer Honka, who identifies as a member of the LGBT community, taught French language and culture at Northeast Early College in Denver’s Montbello neighborhood for eight years before her termination was upheld in a unanimous vote by the Denver Public Schools Board of Education following an executive session.
The board accepted the recommendation of an administrative law judge who reviewed student testimony, district evidence, and instructional materials in reaching his findings, CBS Colorado reported.
Students raised concerns after participating in classroom skits used for language instruction.
Testimony described scripted exercises in which students were assigned roles involving physical interactions as part of French-language practice.
Several students said they felt uncomfortable during participation, and at least one student who refused to take part received a zero on the assignment, according to The Denver Gazette.
Students also referenced a classroom expectation described as “the answer is always ‘yes’ in this class,” which they said influenced participation in skits.
The review noted that participation was tied to grading, a factor the ruling identified as contributing to pressure on students to comply with instructions during class activities.
The administrative law judge concluded that while role-play can be an effective instructional tool in language education, its implementation in this case created an imbalance due to the teacher’s authority over grading and participation.
The ruling stated that students were placed in situations requiring immediate responses to personal prompts in front of peers, limiting their ability to decline without consequence.
The report further detailed classroom disclosures made by Honka, including accounts of childhood abuse, suicidal ideation, and her use of IVF with a sperm donor to conceive her child.
These disclosures occurred during instructional time and were later reviewed by district officials during the disciplinary process.
The case centered on allegations that students were directed to participate in scripted role-play exercises involving kissing scenarios and were exposed to sensitive personal information shared by the teacher.
Jennifer Honka, who identifies as a member of the LGBT community, taught French language and culture at Northeast Early College in Denver’s Montbello neighborhood for eight years before her termination was upheld in a unanimous vote by the Denver Public Schools Board of Education following an executive session.
The board accepted the recommendation of an administrative law judge who reviewed student testimony, district evidence, and instructional materials in reaching his findings, CBS Colorado reported.
Students raised concerns after participating in classroom skits used for language instruction.
Testimony described scripted exercises in which students were assigned roles involving physical interactions as part of French-language practice.
Several students said they felt uncomfortable during participation, and at least one student who refused to take part received a zero on the assignment, according to The Denver Gazette.
Students also referenced a classroom expectation described as “the answer is always ‘yes’ in this class,” which they said influenced participation in skits.
The review noted that participation was tied to grading, a factor the ruling identified as contributing to pressure on students to comply with instructions during class activities.
The administrative law judge concluded that while role-play can be an effective instructional tool in language education, its implementation in this case created an imbalance due to the teacher’s authority over grading and participation.
The ruling stated that students were placed in situations requiring immediate responses to personal prompts in front of peers, limiting their ability to decline without consequence.
The report further detailed classroom disclosures made by Honka, including accounts of childhood abuse, suicidal ideation, and her use of IVF with a sperm donor to conceive her child.
These disclosures occurred during instructional time and were later reviewed by district officials during the disciplinary process.
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