Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Zauke.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and family has always been important to me. I have two supportive parents who showed me the value of hard work, along with an older brother and a younger sister. I attended The Bolles School and later graduated from the University of North Florida with my undergraduate degree. I have been married for 25 years to my high school sweetheart, and we have three sons who are now 22, 21, and 19. My family has encouraged me to follow my dreams.
I have always wanted to help others. I knew early on that working with children was where I felt most comfortable, and teaching just made sense for me. I spent 15 years in the classroom, and over those years, I realized that reading was where my heart really was. Teaching a child to read was always the most rewarding part of my job.
I wanted to become better at teaching reading, so I went back to school and earned a post-baccalaureate degree in reading education from the University of California, San Diego. I also completed a Master’s degree in school counseling. I spent several years working with the University of Florida Literacy Matrix as a Literacy Navigator, supporting teachers who were working toward their state reading endorsement. That experience helped shape my own instruction, and I felt I was making a difference by supporting educators across Florida as they deepened their understanding of reading instruction.
Around that same time, I learned about the Orton-Gillingham approach. It changed the way I worked with students who were struggling, especially those with dyslexia.
I completed several courses and three year-long practicums to become certified in the method. With the encouragement of my husband and sons, I decided to leave the classroom and try something new. I began tutoring students part-time from my home, working closely with families and seeing steady progress with the kids I supported.
What started with just a few students gradually grew. Families shared their experiences, and over time, I was able to open a tutoring clinic in Ponte Vedra Beach with a team of four other tutors. Together, we support more than 100 students. I am proud of how the work has grown, but our focus remains on helping kids and supporting the families we work with every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. The work with students has always been rewarding, but learning how to run a small business was the hardest part. Teaching and working with kids came naturally to me, but managing schedules, hiring, budgeting, long hours away from my family, and leading a team were all new. I have had to learn a lot along the way, and I’m still learning. It has pushed me outside my comfort zone, but helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about First Coast Learning Specialists?
First Coast Learning Specialists is a private tutoring practice that focuses on individualized support for students who need extra help with reading and learning. We work with each student one-on-one and create a plan tailored to their specific needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
We specialize in working with students who struggle with reading, math, and writing, including many students with dyslexia or other learning differences. Our tutors use an explicit, structured, multisensory approach to instruction to help students build skills and close learning gaps. All of our tutors are trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, are certified teachers, and have prior classroom experience, which really sets us apart.
What matters most to me is providing high-quality instruction and creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable learning.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
As a Jacksonville native, I have seen how much the city has grown and changed over the years. One of the things I love most is the variety here. We have the St. Johns River, the Intracoastal, and the beaches all so close. I also love the sense of community, the local restaurants, the arts and cultural events, and of course, our Jacksonville Jaguars football team.
What I like least is probably how spread out the city is and the increase in traffic. Getting from one area to another can take time as Jacksonville continues to grow, but that is part of living in a large, growing city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://firstcoastlearningspecialists.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstcoastlearningspecialists/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstcoastlearningspecialists/
