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 early in his career that solidified his value-based framework, why mandatory district-wide training sessions rarely build authentic capacity, and his exact three-step playbook for school principals to roll out AI literacy starting tomorrow. Whether you are a superintendent, principal, or forward-thinking educator, this conversation provides the blueprint for building an innovative school culture where human relationships always take precedence over technology.

Connect with Dr. Tom D'Amico
Website/Consulting: Contact via Tyler Comeau speaker inquiries.

🔗 Connect with Tyler Comeau (Host)
For Speaking and Consulting Inquiries:
Email: info@tylercomeau.ca
Website: https://tylercomeau.ca

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Email: tyler@elementaleducator.com
Podcast: https://elementaleducatorpodcast.transistor.fm/

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Book Link: https://www.routledge.com/The-Elemental-Leader-Unlocking-Your-Potential-Through-Values-Perseverance-Adaptability-and-Innovation/Comeau/p/book/9781041006084

Timecodes
0:00 - Leadership over tools in change management 1:06 - Introducing Dr. Tom D'Amico 2:05 - Operationalizing "Use the group to change the group" 4:08 - The real meaning of delegation and trust 5:21 - From physical education to EdTech leader 7:23 - The summer schedule choice: Spanish or programming? 9:53 - Game: Principle or Preference 11:33 - The balance of data privacy standards vs. shadow AI 13:26 - The Ottawa checklist model for trust and innovation 16:21 - A career-defining failure: The online calculus course 17:42 - Establishing the "Why" behind district AI implementation 21:52 - Hot Seat: High-profile data breach protocol 23:39 - Hot Seat: Navigating staff anxiety and tech pushback 24:41 - Hot Seat: Handling a principal moving too fast 25:48 - Hot Seat: Overcoming a split senior leadership team 28:07 - Game: Flip the Script on AI replacing leaders 31:48 - Preventing emotional exhaustion through coherence 33:17 - How to spark ripples of change at scale 35:12 - Setting up monthly interdepartmental leadership monitoring 36:31 - The single biggest EdTech mistake senior leaders make 37:12 - 3 practical actions to build AI literacy tomorrow 39:46 - Launching a consulting company after retirement 42:28 - Game: Final Answer (Why culture always wins) 45:21 - Bringing authentic student voice and agency to the table 46:36 - The grade 12 physical education teacher who sparked a legacy