A Colorado high school teacher, Jennifer Honka, was dismissed for “incompetence and neglect of duty” following a judge’s recommendation and a subsequent unanimous vote by the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. The decision stemmed from accusations that Honka forced female students to participate in skits involving kissing as part of a classroom activity.
Reports emerged in June 2026 of online discussions and shared video clips from a school board meeting discussing Honka’s fate. It was alleged that a judge had ruled she performed her duties with “incompetence and neglect of duty.” Some online commentary also suggested Honka identified as LGBTQ+.
The Denver Public Schools Board of Education officially terminated Honka on May 20, 2026. Media outlets, including CBS News, The Denver Post, and The Denver Gazette, covered the board’s decision.
An administrative law judge, Keith J. Kirchubel, reviewed the case and recommended Honka’s dismissal. Snopes contacted Honka’s representative from the Colorado Education Association for comment but had not received a response at the time of reporting. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against Honka.
The review document indicated Honka had been employed at Northeast Early College for eight years and had a 24-year teaching career. Accusations detailed that Honka allegedly compelled female students to engage in kissing skits, citing a classroom policy of “the answer is always yes” if students hesitated. Honka reportedly stated that students could “fake kiss” or “fistbump” if uncomfortable and that the “say yes” policy was intended for responses to classroom management directives. The document also noted Honka’s disclosures about her personal life to students, including details about her sexual orientation.
The judge found no evidence of bias related to Honka’s sexual orientation, concluding that her actions, including the choice and implementation of skits and the disclosure of sensitive personal information, demonstrated incompetence and neglect of duty. The judge highlighted the negative impact on students with minimal educational value.
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