Principal - Pershing Elementary School

A Message From Our Principal

Hello Everyone~ my name is Diona Iacobazzi or Ms. Bazz, as my Pershing family knows me, and this is my 10th year as the Principal of Pershing School. That said, I have worked at Pershing for my entire professional career. I taught 3rd grade for three years and 5th grade for ten. From 2012 to 2015 I had the privilege of being the Assistant Principal at this terrific school. Along with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership I completed a Master’s program to become a Reading Specialist in 2012.

I grew up about two miles away in Cicero and have always been a part of the Berwyn/Cicero community. I am the proud Momma to a handsome 13yr. old guy named Sonny. The two of us just love playing different board games, using Snapchat filters on each other's pics and laughing about them, and hanging with our French Bulldog named Rodney. In my spare time, I LOVE to read and watch movies. Extra fun fact... I am ridiculously competitive, so I never LET Sonny win. He's gotta work for it.

Over the years I have developed strong relationships in this community. Pershing students, staff, and families are a big piece of my heart. I consider all of you part of my 2nd family. I am looking forward to capitalizing on the parent partnerships that we strengthened through the school year last year. I truly believe anything is possible when we work together to make things happen. Let’s do this Pershing! Let’s make this the best year yet! Let’s all support one another, communicate our needs, help whenever we can, put in all kinds of effort, and make some crazy growth! WE CAN DO IT!. I am looking forward to supporting #teampershing as we continue to climb the ladder of success here in D100.

Diona Iacobazzi
Principal of Pershing School

A Message From Our Assistant Principal

I'm excited to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal at Pershing Elementary. My journey to this role has been shaped by a passion for supporting young minds and a dedication to inclusive education.

After earning my degree in Clinical-Counseling psychology from Illinois State University in 2015, I spent time working with children and families as a foster care therapist. Through that experience, I discovered my true calling in the world of elementary education. This led me to pursue a degree in school psychology, which I completed in 2019. My experiences in child and family therapy, both in foster care and private practice settings, have given me a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs our young learners face every day.
For five wonderful years, I served as a school psychologist across Illinois, from a rural setting in Southern Illinois to the suburbs of the North Shore. These experiences, primarily in elementary settings, have reinforced my belief in the power of early intervention and the importance of a supportive school environment.

My commitment to educational leadership drove me to complete my degree in Educational Leadership from National Louis University in 2023. Most recently, I've had the privilege of serving as the District Special Education Coordinator for BSD100, where I've worked closely with all our schools to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.
What excites me most about joining our school community is the opportunity to work alongside our exceptional staff and to focus on nurturing each student's potential. I believe in creating an environment where curiosity is celebrated, diversity is embraced, and every child feels valued and empowered.
As we embark on this new chapter together, I look forward to getting to know each of you and partnering with you to make our school a place where every child can shine. My door is always open, and I can't wait to work together to create an inspiring and supportive learning environment for all our students.

Joel Dukett
Assistant Principal