School Board » Board Members - Bios & Contact Information

Board Members - Bios & Contact Information

Board elections are held every two years.  Once elected, board members serve for year terms without term limits.

MEET THE D10 BOARD OF EDUCATION

 
Board President James Barthel Headshot
 
James Barthel
Board President (Current Term 2025-2028)
 
Mr. Barthel was first appointed to the District 10 Board of Education in 2021.  He currently serves as the Board President. He is currently employed as a Director of Operations Finance and holds a bachelor's degree in finance and a Master's degree in Accounting.  Mr. Barthel serves as a Board liaison for the following committees:  Finance Committee and Transportation Committee.  With a background in Finance and Accounting, his expertise has aided our District with oversight while switching to accrual based accounting and getting the maximum return on the bond referendum projects.
 
Mr. Barthel grew up in Peoria, Illinois, and moved to Itasca 20 years ago after graduating from college. Having been raised by two educators, Mr. Barthel was instilled with the value of education from a young age.  He enjoys having the opportunity to help others gain the best educational opportunities while leaving the instruction to the professionals.  He is the proud parent of two daughters - a District 10 graduate and a daughter that is currently attending. Being on the School Board provides him a wonderful opportunity to help the community plan for the future and help train our next generation of educators and leaders.  In his personal time, he enjoys traveling with family and exploring National Parks.
 
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 Board Vice President Tina O'Neill Headshot
 
Tina O’Neill
Vice President (Current Term 2025-2028)

 
Ms. O’Neill was elected to the District 10 Board of Education in 2017 and currently serves as the Board Vice President. She is currently employed as a Project Specialist for Aldi Corporate.  Ms. O’Neill serves as a Board liaison for the following committees: Transportation Committee, Salary Committee, Staff Recognition Committee, Transition Committee, and is the District NDSEC Representative. She is particularly passionate about the transportation committee as it has been instrumental in making the district bus routes safer and more efficient for students.  As the District NDSEC representative, Ms. O’Neill feels that it is a privilege to help assist in overseeing the special education efforts in District 10 and enjoys seeing the continuous improvements. 
 
Having enlisted in the military at a young age and serving through 9/11, public service and helping others has been a lifelong passion. Ms. O’Neill moved from the inner city of Chicago to the Chicago suburbs 17 years ago and Itasca has been home ever since.  She has 4 children with whom have either graduated or are currently attending District 10 schools. Ms. O’Neill has served as both a Girl Scout Troop Leader and a mentor in various district programs.  In her free time, she enjoys road trips with her family, checking off various National Parks on her bucket list, spending time outdoors, and cheering on the Cubs and Red Sox baseball teams.  
 
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 Board Member Nicole Diestel Headshot
 
Nicole Diestel
Board Member (Current Term 2023-2027)

 
Ms. Diestel was elected to the District 10 Board of Education in 2023.  She is currently employed as a Key Account Manager for an industrial adhesive company and holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from DePaul University.  Ms. Diestel serves as a Board liaison for the following committees: Intergovernmental, Capital & Operations Committee, Staff Recognition Committee, and Student Behavior and Wellness Committee.  As a member of the board, Nicole is passionate about making sure both our internal and external community feel connected, realized, heard and appreciated.  
 
Having lived in the Itasca area for over 11 years, serving on the board has proven to be a wonderful way to support the local community, children, and educators.  Over the years, Itasca’s small-town feel has provided her and her family with friends that have turned into family.  She has two children currently attending District 10 schools.
 
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 Board Member Ketan Patel Headshot
 
Ketan Patel
Board Member (Current Term 2023-2027)
 
 
Mr. Patel was first elected to the District 10 Board of Education in 2019.  He is currently employed as a Medical Doctor for Northwestern Medicine Hospital system specializing in Radiology.  Mr. Patel earned his Medical Degree at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School. He serves as a Board liaison for the following committees: Finance Committee and the Policy Committee. Having a master's degree in finance, Mr. Patel is especially passionate about being involved in the Finance Committee as he is able to utilize his financial education to help ensure our school district is best utilizing funds to serve our students, staff, and community.
 
Having been raised in the nearby city of Addison, Mr. Patel moved to Itasca in 2015. He is the parent of two students in the district. Growing up, his parents advocated for lifelong learning and the importance of education.  As a Board Member, Mr. Patel is able to help ensure our District 10 students get a quality education and a well-rounded curriculum.  In his personal time, he enjoys traveling internationally with his family and enjoying the diverse pizza options that Chicago has to offer.
 
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 Board Secretary Casey Amayun Headshot
 
Casey Amayun
Board Secretary (Current Term 2025-2028)
 
Ms. Amayun was first elected to the District 10 Board of Education in 2016 and currently serves as the Board Secretary.  She is currently employed as an early childhood consultant with Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies helping states and communities develop a comprehensive fiscal approach to supporting the needs of young children and their families. She is also a consultant with Rapid Response Virtual Home Visiting that provides best practice principles and strategies to support home visitors across the country in maintaining meaningful connections with families.  She holds a bachelor's degree in child and Family Services from Iowa State University and a Master's degree in Child Development specializing in Administration from Erikson Institute. Ms. Amayun serves as a Board liaison for the following committees: Friends of Springbrook Nature Center, Key Indicators Committee, Capital & Operations, and the Itasca School District Advisory.
 
Originally from Iowa, Ms. Amayun moved to Itasca in 2007.  She was drawn to the small town feel of Itasca while being close to major conveniences.  With an early childhood and systems building background, being a part of the school board was a natural fit.   She is the parent of two children in our school district.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family (generally around the kids sports schedules), traveling, reading, and exploring diverse restaurants across Chicagoland.  
 
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 Board Member Jessica Shannon Headshot
 
Jessica Shannon
Board Member (Current Term 2025-2028)
 
Ms. Shannon was elected to the District 10 Board of Education in 2021.  She is currently employed as a Regional Manager of Oncology for a hereditary cancer genetic testing company. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin Madison and a Master's Degree in Hospitality from Michigan State University. Ms. Shannon serves as a Board liaison on the following committees: Salary Committee, Key Indicators Committee, Itasca School District Advisory, and the Student Wellness & Behavior Committee.  She is particularly excited about the Student Behavior & Wellness Committee as its focus is to help improve one's mental, physical, and emotional self which is imperative to the success of both our students and staff. Before she took her seat on the board, she was the Chairman of the committee that helped promote the current capital referendum.
 
Ms. Shannon grew up in Itasca and attended Washington School (now Benson Primary) and Peacock Middle School.  She currently resides in the district and is the parent of two children. Growing up, she watched her mother serve on the school board which served as an inspiration for her to give back to the community. Ms. Shannon is passionate about the success of our schools and is thrilled to help take part in helping our students thrive.
 
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Smiling man in a light shirt poses outdoors, with a blurred background.
Joseph Giambrone
Board Member (Current Term 2025 - 2027)
Mr. Giambrone was appointed to the District 10 Board of Education in 2025. He is a partner at a local law firm where his practice focuses on civil litigation, representing public and private sector clients, including school districts and community colleges. Mr. Giambrone serves as a Board liaison for the transition and policy committees. He is particularly passionate about the policy committee because of his experience as an attorney representing school districts and has seen first-hand the integral role policies play in successful schools.
 
Born and raised in DuPage County, Mr. Giambrone moved to Itasca with his family in 2017. His three children currently attend District 10 schools. Seeing the positive impact District 10 has had on his children, and understanding the importance of community involvement, Mr. Giambrone decided to apply for the vacancy on the District 10 Board. He loves reading, riding his motorcycle, and pretty much any activity that gives him the opportunity to be outside.