At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, AI is helping both students and teachers unlock new ways to learn and create. Educators like Tara Potter, Erin Doak, and Heather Bilder are using AI to amplify student voices, support diverse learning needs, and boost digital literacy. This blog series will share how Google Gemini is making classrooms more inclusive, engaging, and innovative. Stay tuned to see the real impact it’s having!
At St. Francis Xavier High School, Tara Potter isn’t just supporting students—she’s revolutionizing the way they learn. As a Special Education Resource Teacher, Tara is on a mission to make education more empowering, inclusive, and inspiring. By harnessing the power of Google Gemini, she helps students unlock their confidence, build independence, and discover a genuine love for learning.
Tara’s journey into AI learning didn’t begin in the classroom. Before stepping into her current role, Tara worked as a Learning Technologies (LT) Consultant with the OCSB. It was there that she got hands-on with tech tools and began piloting platforms like Quizizz AI and Brisk Teaching. Collaborating directly with teachers and students, Tara explored how AI could enhance both learning and assessment.
“Those experiences really shaped my belief that AI, when used ethically and equitably, can help make learning more personalized and accessible for all students,” she explains.
A Thoughtful Approach to Personalized Learning
Tara sees AI not as a shortcut but as a partner in learning—one that can meet students where they are and help them grow. With Google Gemini as her trusted tool, Tara empowers students to tailor their learning to suit their individual needs. Whether it’s summarizing a lesson, explaining a concept step-by-step, or generating a practice quiz, Gemini provides students with the framework they can use to succeed.
“Summarizing long notes into shorter ones, explaining a lesson step by step, doing check-ins, asking for feedback—these are all things that Gemini is really good at,” says Tara. “And it can do that instantly for the students.”
One of the most powerful things she’s noticed is the shift toward student independence. “Students can empower themselves,” she says. They’re differentiating learning on their own. They’re not waiting for the teacher to do it.” That kind of autonomy builds real confidence, especially for students struggling with traditional learning approaches.
Changing the Narrative Around AI
Recently, Tara has focused on using Google Gemini to support personalized test and exam preparation. For her, this was a chance to shift students’ perceptions of AI from a tool of academic dishonesty to a trusted thought partner.
“I taught them how to structure prompts that made Gemini work for them—for example, asking it to explain a science concept in ‘soccer terms’ or generate practice questions related to their interests,” she shares. “This kind of differentiation gave students a voice in their learning that they hadn’t had before, especially those with IEPs (Individual Education Plans). For many, it was the first time they saw studying as something they could control and shape.”
AI Literacy as a New Essential Skill
Tara emphasizes that AI literacy is more than a buzzword—it’s a necessary part of modern learning. “Most students don’t actually know how to use these tools to support their learning,” she says. “There’s a lot of fear and misinformation. Many students assume using AI equals cheating or are too intimidated even to log in.”
By following the OCSB’s AI guidelines, Tara helps students understand the ethical and practical use of AI, guiding them to become more confident, curious, and capable learners.
A Tool for Equity
Perhaps most importantly, Tara sees AI as a tool for equity. For students with IEPs, language barriers, or gaps in background knowledge, AI can offer real-time feedback, personalized support, and a safe space to explore ideas at their own pace.
“Equity is where AI really shines when used thoughtfully,” she says. “It gives students real-time feedback, choice and voice in how they learn, and the ability to revisit information as many times as they need. And because it’s adaptable, students can use it to learn in the ways that make the most sense to them.”
AI’s strength lies in its thoughtful application towards equity. It empowers students by providing immediate feedback, choice and agency in their learning, and the opportunity to revisit content as needed. Its adaptability enables students to learn in ways that suit them best.
The key, she stresses, is guided use—not just access to the tool, but support in using it meaningfully.
Supporting Educators
Tara’s work doesn’t end with students. She’s also passionate about supporting fellow educators as they navigate the evolving landscape of AI. She creates resources like accommodation spreadsheets and simple prompts to help educators see how Gemini can ease their workload and enhance classroom learning.
“I try to keep the tone light and engaging,” she says. “AI isn’t just big—it’s huge—and it’s completely natural for caring, thoughtful educators to be cautious. My focus is on making it approachable and practical.”
Through workshops, modelling, and one-on-one coaching, Tara is helping shift mindsets—from hesitation to curiosity and from fear to excitement.
A Bridge to Belonging
Tara’s thoughtful, compassionate integration of AI into her teaching practice is helping to build a more inclusive and supportive educational environment—one where every student, regardless of ability or background, feels seen, supported, and capable.
Her work reminds us that AI isn’t just about efficiency or innovation—it’s about empowerment. Through Tara’s leadership, AI becomes more than a tool. It becomes a bridge—a bridge to independence, equity, and, most importantly, belonging.
