A Legacy of Innovation: Celebrating Dr. Tom D’Amico’s Transformative Leadership at Ottawa Catholic Schools
As Dr. Tom D’Amico retires after 35 years in education, we reflect on how his vision for innovation, equity, and culture reshaped the Ottawa Catholic School Board and inspired educators across Canada.
Dr. Tom D’Amico’s career in education reads like a masterclass in visionary leadership. From classroom teacher to Director of Education at the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB), Tom consistently championed a future-focused, deeply human approach to learning. Now, as he enters retirement, his legacy continues to ripple outward, offering both inspiration and guidance to education leaders navigating a rapidly changing world.
“In the 90s, education was about memorization,” Tom reflected during his conversation on The LearnIt Podcast. “Now, our job is to turn information into knowledge that students can apply to make a difference in their communities.”
It’s a belief he carried through every role - teacher, vice principal, superintendent, associate director, and one that shaped OCSB’s direction during his tenure as Director.
From the Soccer Field to the Classroom
Tom didn’t set out to be an educator. His early ambitions were rooted in professional soccer, even serving as general manager for the Canadian Soccer League’s Ottawa Intrepid FC. But a chance schedule that included a computer programming course, a subject he hadn’t taught before changed everything.
“It was the class where students were the most engaged,” he recalled. That moment sparked a lifelong interest in technology and innovation, setting the stage for decades of transformative work in education.
Making Learning Deeper, Not Just Digital
One of Tom’s signature contributions was championing Dr. Michael Fullan’s New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL), a global initiative focused on the “Six Cs”: character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking.
As Canadian co-lead of NPDL, Tom helped embed this framework into classrooms across OCSB, moving beyond rote learning to experiential, real-world problem solving.
“We want students to be more than test-takers,” he said. “We want them to be problem-solvers, innovators, and compassionate citizens.”
That philosophy translated into project-based learning, industry partnerships, and hands-on digital fluency. Students didn’t just study business, they launched campaigns, pitched ideas, and worked with mentors to solve real challenges.
Embracing AI With Ethics and Purpose
In an era when artificial intelligence became a hot-button topic in schools, Tom’s approach stood out for its intentionality.
“This was our year of learning about AI,” he explained. OCSB hosted summits, tested tools like Brisk (a Google-integrated assistant for teachers), and built a board-wide AI framework grounded in six principles: ethical use, educational purpose, equity, AI literacy, transparency, and data protection.
One moment, in particular, underscored AI’s power: a newcomer family arrived 2 hours early before the Board’s family welcome centre opened, unable to speak English. Using the voice feature on ChatGPT, Tom held a real-time conversation in Spanish to help register their children. “That wouldn’t have been possible a year ago,” he noted.
Leadership Rooted in Relationships
Throughout his career, Tom made it clear that technology and pedagogy alone don’t create strong schools culture does. Whether mentoring a new principal or meeting with families, he prioritized trust, collaboration, and seeing people through an “asset lens.”
“When a new principal enters a school with challenges, the first step isn’t to change things, it’s to build trust and highlight what’s already working,” he advised.
Tom's leadership mantra was simple: “You’re never alone. Network, collaborate, and never stop learning.”
Dr. Tom D’Amico on The LearnIt Podcast
Building a System of Care
Under Tom’s leadership, OCSB’s vision centered on three bold commitments: Be Innovative. Be Well. Be Community. These weren’t just slogans. They were embedded into the DNA of the system, from instructional design and staff development to faith formation and mental wellness.
The board’s three-year spiritual theme, “Gratitude rooted in joy fills us with hope,” reflected Tom’s belief that schools should nourish the whole person. “It’s about more than academics. We want our community to feel valued, supported, and hopeful,” he shared.
Tackling the Tough Questions
Even in retirement, Tom doesn’t shy away from the hard truths. Ontario’s ongoing educator shortage, he said, is not a matter of apathy, it’s about access.
“It’s not that young people don’t want to be teachers. It’s that they can’t afford to,” he argued, citing low pay for EAs and ECEs, costly training, and a system that doesn’t always reflect the diversity of the students it serves.
He called for systemic fixes: more teacher college spaces, subsidized pathways into the profession, and deliberate recruitment of racialized educators. “Equity starts with who we hire,” he emphasized.
Staying Grounded
Outside the board office, Tom found balance through faith, family, and hockey. For 25 years, he served as an NHL off-ice official, a role he called his “meditation and yoga.”
“To do your job well, you have to be well,” he said. “Everyone needs something that recharges them.”
A Retirement Marked by Impact
Tom’s retirement in 2025 was celebrated across the city, with the City of Ottawa officially proclaiming June 16 as Dr. Thomas D’Amico Day - a tribute to his decades of service, empathy, and vision.
“The awards are nice,” he said humbly. “But they reflect the culture of our district. We support each other, we try new things, and we always put students first.”
As he begins this next chapter, Tom leaves behind more than frameworks or policies. He leaves a living legacy, a culture of care, curiosity, and courage that will continue to shape generations of students and educators for years to come.
