A former high school teacher in Washington state, McKenna Kindred, 27, has drawn renewed attention after court records revealed she encouraged a then‑17‑year‑old student to use Snapchat’s disappearing‑message feature to conceal sexually explicit communications as part of an inappropriate relationship while she was his teacher.
The revelations stem from newly disclosed text messages included in court documents that were published late January 2026, shedding light on how Kindred allegedly attempted to cover up an illicit months‑long relationship with the student while she was employed at Central Valley High School in Spokane, Washington.
According to those records, Kindred sent a message to the teenager saying she needed to “relearn Snapchat,” referencing its disappearing‑message feature as a way to hide their sexually explicit exchanges — after they had already been communicating through other apps for months.
The inappropriate conduct reportedly culminated in a sexual encounter in November 2022 that lasted more than three hours at Kindred’s home while her husband was away on a trip.
The relationship began in mid‑2022, when the student first contacted Kindred after finding her on social media. The communications quickly escalated to explicit text messages, photos and videos exchanged over several months.
Friends of the student eventually grew concerned and shared screenshots with school officials in December 2022, prompting an investigation that led to Kindred being placed on administrative leave. She resigned from her position in 2023.
In March 2024 Kindred pleaded guilty to first‑degree sexual misconduct for her relationship with the student. She avoided prison time but was ordered to serve two years of probation, pay $700 in fines, and register as a sex offender for ten years.
At her sentencing hearing, Kindred reportedly tearfully apologized, acknowledging the harm her actions caused to the victim and others who had trusted her.
The student’s mother testified that what began as inappropriate contact when her son was 16 had serious emotional consequences, affecting his ability to attend school and his overall well‑being.
Life After the Scandal
Following her conviction, Kindred voluntarily surrendered her teaching license. She and her husband later moved from Washington to Kuna, Idaho, where they purchased a home and continue to reside. It’s unclear whether she has since worked in another profession.
The case has sparked broader discussion about how digital platforms can be misused to facilitate illegal relationships and the challenges of uncovering hidden communication even when apps advertise message disappearance features.