About this episode

Dr. Tom D’Amico discusses how to implement AI in schools while ensuring staff well-being and data privacy.

Learn how to successfully lead massive AI implementation in education while protecting staff well-being and maintaining data privacy in this exclusive interview with veteran school district leader Dr. Tom D’Amico. In this episode of the Elemental Educator podcast, host Tyler Comeau sits down with Dr. Tom D'Amico, the recently retired Director of Education for the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Tom successfully scaled artificial intelligence across an entire school district, but his core thesis challenges the entire EdTech industry: change management is a human leadership problem, not a software problem. Throughout this masterclass on educational leadership, Tom breaks down how to navigate the rise of "shadow AI" in K-12 systems, resolve internal friction between IT departments and teaching staff, and establish clear guiding principles that protect student data privacy without stifling rapid innovation. Drawing from his unique background transitioning from a Master of Physical Education and NHL off-ice official into a national voice for educational technology, Tom brings a refreshingly practical coaching mindset to institutional change. He shares the sobering professional failure…

People in this episode

Host: Tyler Comeau

Guest: Dr Tom D’Amico

Topics covered

• AI in education
• change management
• data privacy
• educational leadership
• K-12 systems
• shadow AI

Keywords

• AI implementation
• educational technology
• staff well-being
• data privacy
• change management
• K-12 education
• leadership

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ottawa Catholic School Board

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