FCLS Focuses On:
First Coast Learning Specialists
First Coast Learning Specialists (FCLS) is a private tutoring and consulting practice founded by Nicole Zauke. Our goal is to create individualized learning plans that help each student build a strong foundation for long-term academic success.
Using an explicit, systematic, and multisensory approach, we help students master key skills and close learning gaps with confidence.
At FCLS, we believe learning should be engaging, interactive, and joyful. Our students participate in hands-on, multisensory lessons that make learning engaging — and we love seeing their excitement grow along the way! As a result, students gain the tools and strategies they need to become confident, independent learners.
We are here to help you find the best options to support your child’s learning. Whether through individualized instruction or tailored resources, our mission is to meet the unique needs of your child and family. We hope you will consider First Coast Learning Specialists as your partner in learning success.
NICOLE ZAUKE
First Coast Learning Specialists Founder & Orton Gillingham Trained Community Educator
Phone: (904) 591-0906
Nicole Zauke’s Professional Certifications
- CERI (Center for Effective Reading Instruction) Certified Structured Literacy / Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS)
- Multisensory Structured Language Education – Academic Language Therapy Association – Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP)
- Institute of Multisensory Education (IMSE) Certified – Level 2 Specialist
- Certified Orton Gillingham Educator/Tutor
- 15+ Years Classroom Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
- Master’s Degree in School Counseling
- Reading and Literacy Specialist Graduate Certificate
- Florida Licensed Educator for K-6
- Florida Licensed School Counselor for K-12
- Clinical Educator/CET Certified (mentored new teachers and able to host college pre-interns and interns in the classroom)
- Rated as a “Highly Effective Teacher” according to administration observations & evaluations, professional development and student growth scores
Nicole Zauke is the founder of First Coast Learning Specialists and a dedicated educator who believes every child deserves the chance to thrive. She understands the critical role that strong foundational reading and literacy skills play in helping students succeed across all subject areas.
With over 20 years of experience as an educator, Nicole has seen firsthand the academic challenges and social-emotional effects that struggling learners often face. Motivated by helping students reach their full potential, she created First Coast Learning Specialists — a place where instruction is grounded in the science of how children learn best.
Nicole believes that learning happens best in a safe, caring environment where students feel understood and supported. She meets each child right where they are, celebrating their strengths and helping them grow the skills they need to become capable, confident learners. Her instruction follows a structured literacy approach, providing explicit, systematic teaching that makes learning clear, meaningful, and achievable.
Linda Castaldi’s Professional Certifications
- Orton Gillingham Trained
- 9+ Years of Classroom Teaching Experience
- 10+ Years of Reading & ESE Teaching Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism/English
- Master’s Degree in Elementary Education
- Florida Licensed Educator for K-6
- Florida Licensed Varying Exceptionalities (ESE) Educator for K-12
- Mental Health First Aid Certified
- Rated as a “Highly Effective Teacher” according to her administration observations & evaluations, professional development and student growth scores
Linda Castaldi is a highly effective educator with 19+ years of experience as an elementary inclusion classroom teacher (Grades 1-2), ESE (Exceptional Student Education) teacher (Grades Pre-K through 4), and a Reading Interventionist (Grades 3-5). She has a wide range of experiences in public education, pediatric educational rehabilitation, and residential therapeutic IEP programs.
Reading intervention has always been her passion, working with specific reading programs aimed at helping students with reading disabilities or those with reading difficulties. It is the responsibility of teachers to find how students learn best, to increase their confidence level, and make learning fun. Linda believes that simple, yet research-based reading interventions, are crucial to reading success at any grade level. When more than one sense (auditory, visual, kinesthetic, or tactile) is used in conjunction with learning, children are more likely to remember and learn. It is so important for parents and students to practice repeated readings, review sight words in a specific manner (sandwich-drill), and read every day together for at least 20 minutes.
Becca Jardine’s Professional Certifications
- Orton Gillingham Trained
- 7+ Years of Classroom Teaching Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education
- Florida Licensed Varying Exceptionalities (ESE) Educator for K-12
- Florida Licensed Educator for K-6 Elementary Education
- Florida Licensed Educator for 6-12 English
- Mental Health First Aid Certified
- Rated as a “Highly Effective Teacher” according to her administration observations & evaluations, professional development and student growth scores
Becca Jardine is a highly effective educator with experience teaching high school English Inclusion (Grades 9-12), Elementary Inclusion (Grades 1-4), Reading Intervention (Grades 1-5 and 9-11), as well as self-contained ESE classrooms (Grades 1-2 and High School Transition). She received Teacher of the Year of her graduating class from Vanderbilt University in 2014. Having worked with students across all grade levels, she understands what needs to be done now to prepare and equip students for success later. In addition, her work in inclusion and writing IEPs gave her a strong sense of collaboration, and she is eager to involve families in their child’s education.
Becca believes firmly and unequivocally that all students can learn and it is never too late to intervene. She is passionate about serving students of all ages with respect and encouragement. She provides a positive, collaborative environment for students to feel empowered and capable.
Michelle Stinson’s Professional Certifications
- Orton Gillingham Trained
- Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
- Florida Licensed Educator, Grades 1-6
- Florida Licensed Educator, Age 3-Grade 3
- 24 Years of Classroom Teaching Experience
- 5 Years of School-Based Literacy Trainer
- 4 Years of District-Based Literacy Trainer
- Mental Health First Aid Trained
- DIBELS Facilitator/Administrator
- Rated as a “Highly Effective Teacher” according to her administration observations & evaluations, professional development and student growth scores
Michelle Stinson is a highly effective educator with more than 24 years as an elementary classroom teacher (Grade 1), five years as a school-based literacy trainer, and four years as a district-based literacy trainer. With more than three decades of experience in the elementary education field, Michelle inspires young minds and has a strong commitment to fostering literacy in young learners – the earlier the better.
She is known for creating an engaging environment and personalized approach, making students feel confident. Michelle strongly supports teaching to students’ needs, using skill-based instruction as an integral part of the learning process. Michelle believes that close observation of a student’s needs is imperative for success. She believes that all students can make progress and that all students can grow as readers. Her passion for reading not only helps children develop essential skills, but also instills a lifelong love for reading. Through skill-based instruction, patience and encouragement, she guides each child on their journey to becoming an independent reader.
Jodi Furr’s Professional Certifications
- Orton Gillingham trained as a classroom teacher and private tutor
- 9 years of classroom teaching experience
- 5 years teaching Orton Gillingham-based phonics program for elementary students
- Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications
- Graduate-level teacher certification program
- Over 600 hours logged as Orton Gillingham private tutor
info coming soon