Welcome To Tutoring Club

A proud Jacksonville native, Michele Tanner has dedicated her career to helping students discover their potential and build lasting confidence in the classroom. As the owner and enrollment director of Tutoring Club Jacksonville, she brings more than a decade of hands-on teaching experience and a genuine passion for individualized education to every family she serves.

Michele holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Southern California’s prestigious Rossier School of Education. A Florida-certified teacher, she carries certifications in Elementary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and Mathematics for grades 5–9.

Her teaching career has spanned public, charter, private, and home school environments — giving her a uniquely broad perspective on the way children learn. Michele’s true passion has always been upper elementary and middle school math, where she excels at making abstract concepts click for students who once thought they “just weren’t math people.”

Michele’s commitment to education is deeply personal. She and her husband Robert — happily married for 21 years — are the proud parents of Jacob (20) and Abby (17), and she has navigated the full spectrum of the schooling journey as a parent herself. When she’s not working with students and families, you’ll find the Tanners traveling, out on the golf course, or exploring Jacksonville’s restaurant scene in search of their next favorite dish.

Michele founded Tutoring Club Jacksonville with a simple belief: every child deserves instruction that meets them where they are. She looks forward to partnering with your family to help your student thrive.

Kathy G. Jones is the Academic Director at Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, where she leads the Mandarin location with warmth and dedication. In addition to greeting students and families, she conducts assessments for new students, manages scheduling, and keeps families informed of their child’s progress and successes. With 15 years of tutoring experience, she supports students across elementary, middle, and high school levels in virtually all subject areas.

What sets Kathy apart is the genuine empathy she brings to every interaction. As a mother who personally raised children with very different learning needs — including a child with ADHD and one who struggled but was determined to succeed — she understands the frustration and hope that families experience. That lived perspective allows her to connect with both students and parents in a way that feels real and reassuring.

One of Kathy’s most meaningful specialties is working with older students who have fallen behind in reading. She has walked alongside students who arrived feeling broken and hopeless, and watched them transform as reading clicked — their grades improving, their confidence soaring, and the struggles that once defined them fading away.

Kathy holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Mathematics and brings an extensive professional background, including experience as an entrepreneur. Outside of tutoring, she treasures time with her granddaughter, loves visiting Disney, and enjoys baking.

Ben Takacs is a Math and Science tutor working with students at the middle and high school levels. With a passion for helping young learners build confidence in challenging subjects, Ben brings enthusiasm and dedication to every session.

Ben believes that every student learns differently, and he takes pride in developing strategies tailored to each individual. His greatest strength lies in his patience and his ability to meet students where they are — helping them not just find the right answer, but truly understand the “why” behind it. He loves the moment when a student makes a connection on their own and begins to take genuine interest in the material.

That approach has made a real difference. One student who struggled with math — and didn’t much care for it — worked with Ben on logarithms using strategies they built together. When she solved a problem on her own, she couldn’t help but smile.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics. Outside of tutoring, he enjoys reading, cooking, and walking his dog.

Carol Nixten is an experienced educator with 22 years of tutoring experience, specializing in beginning reading, reading, writing, and math for elementary, middle, and high school students. Her extensive background makes her a trusted resource for families seeking well-rounded academic support across multiple grade levels.

Carol believes that kindness is at the heart of effective teaching. She approaches every student with patience and care, creating a safe and encouraging environment where learners feel comfortable taking on new challenges. Her strong command of language and grammar ensures that students receive clear, accurate instruction they can build on with confidence.

Carol has a gift for connecting with students on a personal level. In one memorable moment, she gently redirected a discouraged student by inviting her to reflect on gratitude — and the student responded with a beautiful, wholehearted perspective that reminded Carol why this work matters so much.

Carol holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Teacher Certification in Language Arts. Outside of tutoring, she loves curling up with a good novel and enjoying long walks with her dogs.

Sharon Gardner-Emry is a dedicated tutor with three years of experience working with elementary, middle, and high school students. She specializes in algebra, reading, writing, beginning reading, and SAT/ACT English prep, bringing a broad and flexible skill set to students across all grade levels.

Sharon believes in the power of personalized, hands-on learning. She thrives in the one-on-one setting that tutoring provides, recognizing that individualized attention can make all the difference for students who may not receive that support in a traditional classroom. Her flexibility across multiple subject areas allows her to meet each student exactly where they are.

One of Sharon’s greatest joys is witnessing the growth of her test prep students. Hearing about their progress after dedicated preparation is a reward that keeps her passionate about the work she does.

Sharon holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Flagler College and is actively working toward teaching certifications in both English 6–12 and Visual Arts K–12. Outside of tutoring, she enjoys writing her own books, creating visual art, and gaming — a creative spirit that brings energy and imagination to everything she does.

Cherri Gipson is an enthusiastic tutor with two years of experience supporting elementary, middle, and high school students in math, including standard and SAT prep, as well as beginning and standard reading. She brings a fresh, student-centered approach to every session, helping learners of all levels build confidence and skill.

What sets Cherri apart is her natural ability to connect academic content to each student’s personal interests, making lessons feel relevant and engaging rather than routine. She has a gift for helping students see problems from a new angle, turning frustration into understanding and curiosity.

Cherri holds an Associate’s degree in Mathematics from North Carolina A&T State University, providing her with a strong foundation in the subject she loves to teach.

When she’s not tutoring, Cherri enjoys dancing, reading, and spending time in nature; a spirit of joy and curiosity that she carries right into the club with every student she works with.

Susana Bustamante is an energetic and caring tutor with six months of formal tutoring experience working with elementary, middle, and high school students in reading, writing, and math. A natural helper from an early age, having supported siblings and classmates long before stepping into a professional role, Susana brings genuine enthusiasm and heart to every session.

Susana stands out for her patience, adaptability, and ability to make learning enjoyable. She takes time to understand how each student learns best and tailors her approach accordingly, ensuring sessions feel engaging rather than overwhelming. Her greatest joy comes from that unmistakable moment when a student’s confidence clicks into place.

That commitment showed clearly when one of her students struggled with division. After working through it together, the student returned to the next session and solved a problem entirely on her own, a breakthrough that reflected both the student’s hard work and Susana’s encouragement.

Susana holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance major and a minor in Business Data Analytics from West Virginia University. Outside of tutoring, she expresses her creativity through intricate face makeup artistry; a passion that reflects the same imagination and attention to detail she brings to her students every day.