8th Grade

Let's Meet the 8th Grade Teachers

Bio: This is my tenth year teaching Math and Science at Laurin. I am an alumna of Prairie High School and was a member of the 1999 PHS Girls Basketball state championship team. (Go Falcons!) After high school, I played NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball at California State University, Northridge on a full athletic scholarship. While there, I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. Upon returning to the NW, I decided to pursue a career in teaching and completed my Masters in Teaching degree at City University of Seattle, Vancouver. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy watching sports (Go Seahawks, Blazers, and Liverpool!), hanging with friends and family, fly fishing, live music, and Orangetheory workouts.



Bio: I have been teaching at Laurin since 2000; the first seven at 7th grade and 8th grade ever since. I teach algebra, 8th grade math and science. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Pacific University, where I also played fastpitch softball and spent a semester in Ecuador as an exchange student. Several years after earning my BA, I decided to pursue a teaching career and earned my Masters in Teaching at City University. Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 26 years, being a mom to a son (currently at University of Redlands & a 2020 grad of Prairie) and a daughter (a sophomore at Prairie). I also teach Zumba classes, enjoy working out, doing yard work and watching sports.

Bio: This will be my ninth year teaching, with each of those years spent at Laurin as an 8th grade ELA and History teacher. I attended Glenwood, Laurin and Prairie High School as a student, and returned here after college to begin my career. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my son, husband, friends and family. Our LMS community is special and I’m very thankful for the opportunity to work with our awesome students and staff. I’m looking forward to getting to know my new students and their families!


Bio: Educating youth has been the primary focus of my entire professional career. I have worked in or around schools for the last 13 years. I spent several years working with non-profit organizations, working directly with schools to support and bring resources to students and families. I believe educating a child means educating the whole child, and that education does not end when a child leaves the classroom. I graduated with my Masters in Teaching in 2008 and then spent several years teaching English overseas, from there I returned to my hometown, Battle Ground, and got busy with the business of educating youth. This will be my third year at LMS, teaching 8th grade. I love to bring projects into the classroom and work my hardest to bring my subjects, History and English, alive for my students.


Long-term sub: Stephen Zeringer

Bio: I began full time teaching in 2013 in a 7th grade classroom here at Laurin. I most recently finished my third year at the 8th grade level teaching Language Arts and History, although this year I will be teaching History and Science. I am always impressed with the students and the student families here at Laurin. I already have so many great memories of former students and look forward to making more with my students this year. When I am not at Laurin, I am busy coaching football and softball, which I have been involved with for over 20 years. I also enjoy time at the beach with my family and BBQ with them and my neighbors. And during summer break you will on most days find me on the golf course.


Bio: Ms. Nellor began her teaching career in 1977 and has been at Laurin since 1981. Her first four years were also with BGPS at Lewisville Intermediate School and she coached freshman basketball at Battle Ground High, as well. Growing up in Vancouver, Ms. Nellor attended Clark College and graduated from University of Portland with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in education. At Laurin, Ms. Nellor teaches eighth grade History and ELA. She raised two daughters, Emma and Megan, and enjoys spending time with family, photography, computers, sewing and reading in her free time away from school.




Jackson Stellfox

Bio: This will be my 2nd year teaching, but 1st year at Laurin Middle School teaching 8th grade math & science. As a student, I went to Pleasant Valley and graduated from Prairie High School. I have coached baseball at Evergreen High School the last 10 years and also coach Showtime baseball during the summers. Outside of teaching and coaching, I enjoy spending time with my wife and 1 year old daughter. We love hiking, fishing, and camping. Pretty much anything outdoors. What most people don’t know about me is that I really struggled with math as a middle schooler. I told myself I wasn’t a “math person”. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized struggling is part of learning something new. That’s what drove me to become a math teacher and change students’ negative identities towards math. I’m excited to get to know all of you and your families in the upcoming school year!