PMSA Python Press
September 15, 2025
Ms. Walker
Q: How long have you been a teacher at PMSA?
A: This is my first year here at PMSA.
Q: What classes/grade levels have you taught while at PMSA?
A: I am currently teaching Integrated Math 2 and Math Studies, which includes 9th through 11th graders.
Q: What activities and/or sports/clubs do you sponsor?
A: N/A
Q: What do you love most about teaching here at PMSA?
A: I would have to say the students. It might sound cliché, but it’s true. The students here at PMSA are even more amazing than I imagined. They are brilliant, creative, and wonderfully silly. They make coming to work every day worth it.
Q: What is your most memorable moment while teaching here at PMSA?
A: The most memorable moment for me would have to be when I hosted a review game for my IM2 students. The students were having a great time, and I got to see who my most competitive students are. What made it especially memorable, though, was watching my quieter students come to life—smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves while still learning and strengthening their math skills for their test.
Q: What is an interesting fact(s) that many do not know about you?
A: I just moved here from Mississippi, which has been one of the biggest changes I’ve ever experienced. At the same time, it has been a long-time goal of mine to leave Mississippi. I’m still adjusting to the culture shock and the transition overall, but I do love it so far and plan to stay for quite some time.
Q: What book(s) are you currently reading for pleasure?
A: I started reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas back in June, and I’m currently on Queen of Shadows.
Q: Anything else you would like to tell the school community about yourself?
A: I graduated from Jackson State University, which is located in the capital city of Mississippi. I also have a cat named Draco, and he is my whole heart.
Since moving here, I’ve had some incredible experiences that I never could have had in Mississippi. I’ve gone to two concerts, explored beautiful scenic parks, and even attended the Ren Faire in Bristol, Wisconsin. I’m excited to continue making more amazing memories.
Kayla Tate
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a student at PMSA?
A: My most memorable moment was attending freshmen orientation. Meeting new students and talking to current students was a great way to get acclimated to the building.
Q: What do you love most about PMSA?
A: I love that there is a sense of community, and I can build connections with staff. The teachers are positive and very forgiving.
Q: What are your plans post-high school?
A: I want to enlist in the military and attend a HBCU where I will major in finance.
Q: What is your number 1 college choice?
A: Spelman College.
Q: What is your favorite subject(s)?
A: History.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.
Q: What is something interesting about yourself that you want to share with the PMSA school community?
A: I am an only child.
We are proud to recognize junior Jared Sanchez for being selected to perform with the Equity Arc Pathways Orchestra in Washington, D.C., this coming April. This prestigious honor is one of many opportunities she will experience over the next two years as a Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative Fellow. Congratulations, Jared, on your outstanding achievement and dedication to your craft!
PMSA's AP College Board Recognition
Over the summer, four PMSA educators – Mr. Colwell, Ms. Duran, Mr. Markus, and Ms. Paulus – traveled to Boston, Massachusetts to attend the Advanced Placement Annual Conference. While they learned about strategies such as exam scoring and test-taking strategies, insightful analysis, reducing cognitive load, and using AI in the classroom, they also received exciting news: PMSA has earned the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll Platinum Award and the AP Access Award.
The Platinum designation is the highest honor on the AP School Honor Roll and is reserved for schools that excel across three measures: building a strong college-going culture by ensuring that at least 80 percent of graduates take an AP exam, helping at least half of those students earn a score of 3 or higher to receive college credit, and fostering college readiness by encouraging at least 15 percent of students to take five or more AP exams, beginning as early as freshman or sophomore year.
In addition, the AP Access Award recognizes PMSA’s commitment to equity by providing students from all backgrounds, including those traditionally underrepresented in advanced coursework, with the opportunity to take part in AP classes. Together, these achievements highlight PMSA’s dedication to both excellence and access, ensuring that students are challenged, supported, and prepared for success in college and beyond.
Congratulations to our students and staff — your persistence and dedication made this achievement possible, and together we’ve shown what can be accomplished when we challenge ourselves and support each other as a community.
The PMSA PTO is a volunteer organization of parents and teachers that strives to make a positive impact in our school for our students.
MEMBERSHIP: Please see attached jot form to sign your family up now.
https://www.jotform.com/form/242517206936155
Our monthly membership meetings are optional but encouraged. (Offering both an online option and in person at the school.)
DUES: Your membership fees help support a variety of non-funded school activities and programs for our children. Membership fees for each PMSA family is $10 each school year. An additional $10 is suggested as a fundraising fee. Cash, check (PMSA PTO), Zelle (thepmsapto209@gmail.com) can be used.
LEADERSHIP ROLES: We need your help. The Vice President position and committee chair volunteers are needed for this school year! Interested in getting more involved in our PTO? Please let reach out and let us know if you think you have the time and talents to get more involved. Thepmsatpo209@gmail.com
YARD SIGNS: We officially launched our PTO Yard Sign Fundraiser last spring, and it was highly successful. One of our goals as a Parent Teacher Organization is to increase school pride in our communities. We hope that the yard sign project helps us achieve this goal, as well as serve as a fundraiser for future projects for our school. Yard signs are 20 dollars apiece and can be delivered to your home or picked up at our next PTO meeting. If you are interested, please fill out the google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGpFlD2heUgdQoTjVD9rblWGfMaf3NvR_eKGAtilkhhN71LA/viewform.
Payment must be received before sign delivery. Cash, check (made out to The PMSA PTO), or Zelle (thepmsapto209@gmail.com) are accepted. You are NOT required to join the PTO in order to purchase a sign.
MONTHY MEETINGS: The PMSA PTO will be holding their monthly meeting the THIRD Wednesday evening of each month at 6:30 PM at the PMSA Library Resource Center. The next meeting will be September 17. Can’t meet in person? Join us remotely on ZOOM.
Any questions? Thepmsapto209@gmail.com or text President Anissa Butler at 630-240-2191.
PMSA Club and Activity Bus
Arrives at PMSA at 4:45 pm
Departs PMSA at 5:00 pm
The activity bus will drop the students off at their bus stop location.
It is important that all students know their bus stop location and that they share it with the bus driver.
Click the button below and visit the Proviso Transportation page to find your bus stop location.
Srta. Walker
P: ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva siendo maestra en PMSA?
R: Este es mi primer año aquí en PMSA.
P: ¿Qué clases/niveles ha enseñado en PMSA?
R: Actualmente enseño Matemáticas Integradas 2 y Estudios de Matemáticas, que incluyen estudiantes de 9.º a 11.º grado.
P: ¿Qué actividades y/o deportes/clubes patrocina?
R: N/A
P: ¿Qué es lo que más le gusta de enseñar aquí en PMSA?
R: Tendría que decir que los estudiantes. Puede sonar cliché, pero es verdad. Los estudiantes aquí en PMSA son incluso más increíbles de lo que imaginaba. Son brillantes, creativos y maravillosamente divertidos. Hacen que valga la pena venir a trabajar todos los días.
P: ¿Cuál es su momento más memorable enseñando aquí en PMSA?
R: El momento más memorable para mí sería cuando organicé un juego de repaso para mis estudiantes de IM2. Los estudiantes se estaban divirtiendo mucho y pude ver quiénes son los más competitivos. Lo que lo hizo especialmente memorable fue ver a mis estudiantes más reservados cobrar vida: sonriendo, riendo y disfrutando mientras seguían aprendiendo y reforzando sus habilidades matemáticas para el examen.
P: ¿Cuál es un dato interesante sobre usted que muchos no saben?
R: Me acabo de mudar desde Mississippi, lo que ha sido uno de los cambios más grandes que he experimentado. Al mismo tiempo, era un objetivo mío desde hace mucho dejar Mississippi. Todavía me estoy adaptando al choque cultural y a la transición en general, pero me encanta hasta ahora y planeo quedarme por bastante tiempo.
P: ¿Qué libro(s) está leyendo actualmente por gusto?
R: Empecé a leer la serie Trono de Cristal de Sarah J. Maas en junio y actualmente estoy en Reina de las Sombras.
P: ¿Hay algo más que le gustaría contar a la comunidad escolar sobre usted?
R: Me gradué de la Universidad Estatal de Jackson, que se encuentra en la ciudad capital de Mississippi. También tengo un gato llamado Draco, y es todo para mí.
Desde que me mudé aquí, he tenido experiencias increíbles que nunca hubiera podido tener en Mississippi. He ido a dos conciertos, explorado hermosos parques panorámicos e incluso asistí a la Feria del Renacimiento en Bristol, Wisconsin. Estoy emocionada de seguir creando más recuerdos maravillosos.
Kayla Tate
Kayla Tate es estudiante de penúltimo año en PMSA. Es miembro del equipo de atletismo en Proviso East, del Consejo Estudiantil, de la Clase de 2027 y del Club de K-Pop. Además, enseñó una clase de STEM durante el verano. ¡Kayla hace todo esto mientras mantiene un promedio de 4.7 GPA!
P: ¿Cuál es tu momento más memorable como estudiante en PMSA?
R: Mi momento más memorable fue asistir a la orientación para estudiantes de primer año. Conocer a nuevos estudiantes y hablar con estudiantes actuales fue una gran manera de adaptarme al edificio.
P: ¿Qué es lo que más te gusta de PMSA?
R: Me encanta que hay un sentido de comunidad y puedo establecer conexiones con el personal. Los maestros son positivos y muy comprensivos.
P: ¿Cuáles son tus planes después de la secundaria?
R: Quiero enlistarme en el ejército y asistir a una universidad HBCU donde me especializaré en finanzas.
P: ¿Cuál es tu universidad número uno?
R: Spelman College.
P: ¿Cuál es tu materia favorita?
R: Historia.
P: ¿Cuál es tu libro favorito?
R: Por trece razones de Jay Asher.
P: ¿Qué es algo interesante sobre ti que quieras compartir con la comunidad escolar de PMSA?
R: Soy hija única.
Nos enorgullece reconocer a nuestra estudiante de penúltimo año Jared Sanchez por haber sido seleccionada para presentarse con la Orquesta Equity Arc Pathways en Washington, D.C. el próximo abril. Este prestigioso honor es solo una de las muchas oportunidades que experimentará durante los próximos dos años como becaria de la Iniciativa Chicago Musical Pathways. ¡Felicidades, Jared, por tu sobresaliente logro y dedicación a tu arte!
