| Online Specialist in K-12 Math/Science | Bookings available for Term 2 Online Lessons |
My name is Zakary Jay Nicholls, and I am an educator focused on the fields of mathematics and science. I have worked as a tutor for the last 15 years (in both in person and online lesson formats) and during my time in the industry have taught over 20000 hours of one-on-one, and small group, lessons to in excess of 2000 students. Since 2020, I have specialized in online teaching and learning for K-12 students in STEM.
My tutoring career began back in 2011, initially as a K-10 tutor teaching mathematics and later expanding to include K-12 STEM and tertiary mathematics. I am highly skilled at generating improvements for students in both standard and accelerated courses, I have ample experience working with students pursuing academic, vocational, and workplace pathways.
I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Newcastle, alongside certificates from HBA learning and from the Newcastle TAFE. I later received a diploma and graduate certificate from Charles Sturt University, followed by a graduate diploma from University of Southern Queensland. I am proficient in the most recent NSW curriculums in stage 6 mathematics/physics, as well as proficient in the new stage 4 and 5 curriculums (including life skills, core, and selected pathways) to be taught from 2024 and onwards.
In addition to my teaching, I am actively engaged as a public academic and commentator in my fields of expertise. I served as the 2024 director of the Newcastle Permanent primary school mathematics competition, I run a YouTube page dedicated to math and physics (In order to provide high quality resources to students seeking online videos - search ZJNT on YouTube to find my videos), I am a routine volunteer marker and commentator on numerous forums and education platforms, and I hold an active WWCC..
- 15 years experience in primary and secondary STEM one-on-one education
- 8 years experience in vocational and university STEM one-on-one and group education
- Run a successful Math/Physics YouTube channel with over 300 videos
- Director of the Newcastle Permanant Primary School Mathematics Competition 2024
- Around a dozen former HSC students made the Distinguished Achiever list
- Numerous former students offered early entry for Nursing, Teaching, and Engineering
- Many former students offered apprenticeships in Electrical, Construction, and Business
- Numerous former students offered competitive degree entry for UNSW and USYD
University of New England, Bachelor's Degree, Arts/Science, 2025 - Present
University of Southern Queensland, Graduate diploma, Science, 2019 - 2022
Charles Sturt University, Graduate certificate, Mathematics, 2019 - 2020
Charles Sturt University, Undergraduate diploma, Mathematics, 2017 - 2019
TAFE NSW, Certificate IV, Vocational Teaching, 2016 - 2016
University of Newcastle, Bachelor's degree, Business/Commerce, 2011 - 2018
HBA Learning, Certificate IV, Business and Management, 2011 - 2012
Apprenticeships Australia, Certificate III, Sales and Marketing, 2010 - 2011
Apprenticeships Australia, Certificate II, Sales and Marketing, 2010 - 2010
- Video games
- Car maintenance and mechanics
- Botany and gardening
- Ancient history and Classics
Thanks for teaching me over the past years I've really appreciated it!!! :) - Mia O (Student Feedback - 2023) [Mia has recently completed Year 12]
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Thank you again, my study is going well and I look forward to reviewing the university notes you've sent me before uni starts. - Greg F (Student Feedback - 2023) [Greg was an Extension 1 Math student of mine who will be studying University Engineering in 2024]
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I definitely feel I went into the exam the strongest I have in a bit because I knew what I knew and I knew enough to scavenge some marks from questions I wasn't completely sure about. I did also get some of the really challenging questions right. Thanks again for your help. - Mitch J (Student Feedback - 2023) [Mitch was an Advanced Math student of mine who will be studying University Engineering in 2024]
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Zak Nicholls on 18th November 2023
Thanks for all your help with the MATH courses, I got a credit in MATH1020 which I'm pretty happy with because I found the calculus in that unit pretty hard. - Tom L (Student Feedback - 2023) [Tom is a University undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering]
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Thank you Zak, you’ve been an amazing help over the last couple of years. Appreciate you work. Lon A (Student Feedback - 2022) [Lon is a student involved in professional sport industry]
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Good news!!! Early offer program so I didn't need an ATAR. Thanks again Zak! - Miles D (student Feedback - 2022) [Miles is now a University undergraduate in Aerospace Engineering]
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Zak Nicholls on 2nd April 2023
Thank you Zak for tutoring Gabriel. He found your sessions both stimulating and motivating. He finished each session with a smile and enjoyed your mutual conversations. - Dorothy W (Parent Feedback - 2021) [Gabriel is a current year 12 student]
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You have maintained your position in the god tier of teachers. Thank you so much! - Louis S (Student Feedback - 2021) [Louis went on to study Economics/Finance at Macquarie]
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Thank you for all your help and continual support throughout the year in preparing me for the HSC. I feel I have improved so much :) - Charlotte G (Student Feedback - 2019) [Charlotte went on to study Speech Pathology at Newcastle]
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I have found that Jack thoroughly enjoys his lessons with you and comes bouncing out of every lesson – which is a blessing! - Sandra K (Parent feedback - 2018) [Jack is a current year 12 student]
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We could not have asked for a kinder or more patient tutor, thank you for helping Ben through his HSC. - Regina J (Parent Feedback - 2018) [Ben went on to do a manufacturing/boilermaking apprenticeship]
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Zakary Nicholls on 3rd December 2021
I worked with zak when he was the maths tutor at the Green room MP at Warner's Bay from 2016 to 2019. Zak was a popular tutor with many of his students rebooking lesson with him over a number of years. He was always friendly and when he left in 2019, most of his students finished their lesson with us and saught out him privately.
By Jess E on 18th November 2023
