Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Margot.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi, my name is Nick, and I grew up in North St. Paul, Minnesota. My story really begins as a kid who struggled in school, especially in math. I was a Title I student who needed extra support in elementary and middle school, and I spent a lot of time feeling behind and unsure of myself academically. My parents, especially my mom, worked hard to get me help whenever they could. She even found a friend who tutored my sister and me, but consistent one on one support was expensive and not always sustainable. That experience stayed with me and shaped how I view education today.
I did not originally plan to work in education. I went to St. Cloud State with the intention of pursuing business, but along the way I discovered a real passion for teaching and for helping people understand things they once thought were out of reach. I changed paths, earned my degree in elementary education, and shortly after college my girlfriend at the time and I decided to take a leap and move to Arizona in search of new opportunities and warmer weather.
I began my career as a fifth grade teacher in Coolidge, Arizona. I was a young and enthusiastic teacher who cared deeply about building strong relationships with students and creating a classroom where kids felt safe, supported, and valued. After three years, I was encouraged to step into school leadership as a Dean of Students. I spent time serving in that role and learned a great deal about navigating difficult situations with care and empathy. I worked closely with students who were dealing with very real challenges both inside and outside of school. Many of those conversations were not easy, but they reinforced the importance of listening first, building trust, and approaching discipline as an opportunity for growth rather than punishment.
Some time after that, I made the decision to move within the same organization to a school closer to my home. In that role, I returned to the classroom and began teaching middle school math and honors Algebra 1. Teaching math became a turning point for me. Growing up, math had been my hardest subject, and teaching it forced me to truly understand it in a new way. It also reinforced a belief I still carry today that every student has the potential to understand hard things with the right teacher, time, patience, and practice.
After a year back in the classroom, I was promoted to Middle School Department Lead, a role I held for seven years. Eventually, I became the Dean of Academics at Imagine Prep Superstition in Apache Junction, Arizona. It was a school and community I loved deeply and one that played a major role in my growth as a leader. During my early teaching years, I also coached a girls varsity basketball team that had struggled for years. We did not win a single game my first season, but by focusing on trust, accountability, and a team first culture, we grew together. Two years later, we were playing in the state championship. That experience reinforced everything I believe about growth, leadership, and belief. I ended up marrying my assistant coach, who is now my wife, and today we have two daughters.
As our family grew, being far from our parents and extended family in Minnesota became harder. My wife is from Coon Rapids and I am from North St. Paul, so we made the decision to move back home so our girls could grow up surrounded by family. During that transition, I accepted a role with Mathnasium and stepped into the Center Director position in Andover, Minnesota.
What drew me to Mathnasium was not a product or a program. It was the philosophy. I recognized myself in many of the students walking through the doors. Some needed help rebuilding confidence and filling gaps. Others were already strong in math and simply wanted to keep pushing themselves. I appreciated that both of those students could exist in the same space and both be supported in meaningful ways.
Over time, I saw students grow not just academically, but emotionally. Kids who once avoided math began to approach it with less fear. Students who already loved math found a place where it was okay to be challenged and curious. What mattered most to me was not how fast they moved, but that they felt supported, encouraged, and understood along the way.
One moment that stuck with me was when a parent told me their child said they get to go to Mathnasium instead of saying they have to go. That simple shift in language said everything. It meant learning had become something positive rather than something heavy.
Today, I serve as a Regional Director for Midwest Math, helping support multiple Mathnasium centers across Minnesota. What keeps me grounded is knowing that I was once the student who needed extra help and that now I get to be part of creating that support for others, whether they are catching up or pushing ahead. I care deeply about meeting students where they are, supporting families in real and practical ways, and building environments where confidence grows alongside skill.
At the end of the day, everything I do comes back to this. Every child deserves the chance to believe in themselves. If we can help them do that, the rest will follow.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a perfectly smooth road, and many of my most important lessons have come from moments of challenge.
One of my earliest and most significant challenges was making the decision to move across the country right after graduating college. Leaving Minnesota for Arizona meant stepping away from my safety net and learning how to truly stand on my own, both personally and professionally. That leap forced me to grow quickly and take ownership of my decisions, and it laid the foundation for the confidence I carry today.
Another defining challenge came during my first leadership role. I worked closely with someone whose philosophy and values around education were very different from my own, and that period of my career was both difficult and, at times, uncomfortable. It was a turbulent experience that pushed me to reflect deeply on who I was as a leader. Through that challenge, I learned that professional growth does not require sacrificing your values or your authenticity. I learned the importance of being transparent, listening to multiple perspectives, and grounding decisions in context and empathy. While it was a struggle, it became one of the most formative learning experiences of my career.
I have always believed, and often told my students and athletes, that while wins teach you something, losses and difficult moments often teach you far more. That experience reinforced that belief and helped shape the leader I strive to be today.
Another challenge was making the decision to move back across the country after I had established myself professionally. I spent nearly fourteen years within the same school organization, building deep relationships and a strong sense of belonging. Leaving that comfort zone was emotionally difficult, even though it was the right decision for my family.
Some of the hardest challenges have come from working closely with students and families facing real hardship. Sitting across from a student you have known for years after they have made serious mistakes, and continuing to show up for them with care and consistency, can weigh heavily. Education allows you to witness incredible growth, but it also exposes you to moments that are hard to carry. Learning how to support others without taking that weight home has been an ongoing challenge.
In my current role, I have found more balance. I still get to support students and families in meaningful ways, but in a setting that allows me to focus more on growth, confidence, and forward progress. Those experiences, both the smooth and turbulent ones, have shaped how I lead and why I continue to do this work.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is centered on building and leading an organization. I manage teams, develop leaders, and help create clear systems that allow people to do their best work while staying aligned with shared values.
What I enjoy most is that I get to see the direct impact our work has on students and families. I walk into many Mathnasium centers and see smiles, laughter, and students genuinely engaged with math. That matters to me. Seeing kids feel confident, supported, and even excited about learning is a powerful reminder of why the work is worth doing.
I am most proud of building strong teams and positive cultures where people feel supported and students feel believed in. What sets me apart is that I lead with authenticity and consistency. I listen first, stay grounded in values, and focus on long term impact rather than short term wins.
At the end of the day, I care about building something meaningful and leaving people better than I found them.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing that surprises a lot of people is that I was not an easy student growing up. I struggled academically, especially in math, and I also had a hard time maintaining focus in the classroom. I know there were teachers who felt frustrated with me at times, and looking back, I understand why. I was not a bad kid, but I needed more patience, structure, and belief than I sometimes received. That experience shaped how I view students today and why I lead with empathy and understanding. It reminds me that behavior and struggle usually come from something deeper, not a lack of ability or effort.
Another thing people may not expect is how big of a sports fan I am. I love Minnesota sports, especially the Vikings and the Timberwolves. I try to get to home games when I can and make it a point to travel to at least one away Vikings game each year. Sports have always been a way for me to connect with people, decompress, and enjoy shared experiences.
And while this might not be surprising to everyone, the most important part of my life is my daughters. Spending time with them is my favorite thing in the world. Being their dad has given me a deeper sense of purpose and perspective than anything else. It is hard to fully explain how meaningful that is until you experience it, but it shapes how I think, how I lead, and how I show up every day.
Pricing:
- We are a month to month subscription model at our centers. We charge 350 dollars a month for unlimited sessions (grades 2-12). We recommend coming twice a week to get the most out of your investment and to hit our shared goals.
- We have a program for Pre-k to 1st that is shorter sessions for $260 per month.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mathnasium.com/math-centers/andover
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathnasium_andover/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MathnasiumAND/
