Chemistry teacher Rebecca Jansing-Kaestner, moderator of the NHS for five years, and English teacher Christine Zurkowski, moderator of the NHS for two years, will both be stepping down from their positions.

For the 2011-2012 school year, biology teacher William Forester and psychology teacher Paul Lazor will be taking Jansing-Kaestner and Zurkowski’s places as the National Honor Society moderators.

According to Jansing-Kaestner , the reason for her leaving the National Honor Society is due to her schedule.

“I’m too busy. I’m busy with robotics and teaching chemistry. I’ve been neglecting it. I don’t feel like I did a good job. I was starting to put the group in jeopardy of losing their charter.” Jansing-Kaestner said.

If JC loses its National Honor Society charter, then the chapter at JC would close.

According to Zurkowski, she wanted to focus more on her duty as junior class moderator.

“People were asked to volunteer for the position. Dr. Lazor thought it would be a good thing [to become a NHS moderator], and they [Forester and Lazor] were really the only ones that came forward.” Jansing- Kaestner explained as to how Forester and Lazor came onto the job.

Lazor says that he is excited to become a NHS moderator and to work with the student members.

“I enjoy getting to know as many students as I can and it’s interesting to interact with highly motivated students.” Lazor said.

President elect of the National Honor Society, junior Jenny Yang, admits that she was surprised when Jansing- Kaestner and Zurkowski said that they would be leaving the National Honor Society.

“I’ve known for Mrs. JK for two years now and I had Mrs. Zurkowski as a teacher my freshman year so I was used to them. It’s going to be different next year with Mr. Forester and Dr. Lazor as the NHS moderators, but I think it will be ok.” Yang said.

Lazor is also looking forward to moderate the NHS next year.

“I’m interested in the service activities that NHS is interested in, and I think I really would want to listen to the students and see what activities they would like to do. I would like the students to have a lot of input.” Lazor said.

As for the transition process of the moderators, Jansing-Kaestner says that she will be there “to guide them through,” the process.

“I don’t think the transition process will affect NHS in a significant way. I realize that it’s going to take some time for Mr. Forester and Dr. Lazor to adjust to NHS, but I don’t think that it’s going to be a big problem.” Yang said.

Maggie Cassidy is a managing editor for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com

Additional reporting by Grace Kim.