April Moriarty (formerly Capuder)

I'd like to welcome you and your child to Brooks Middle School! As the Principal, I am excited to meet all of our new 6th grade students and families and to welcome back our 7th and 8th graders. I am here to help in any way I can, and I hope you and your child quickly feel that Brooks is a place where they belong, are known, and are encouraged to grow.

I began my teaching career in 1994 as a 7th grade math and science teacher. After teaching for a few years, I had the wonderful opportunity to stay home with my two daughters, Linnae and Chloe, for nine years. They are now 29 and 26 years old, and watching them grow into the adults they are today has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

In 2006, I returned to teaching and rediscovered my love for guiding, supporting, and challenging middle school students as they navigate the academic, social, and emotional experiences of adolescence. From that time until I joined Brooks in 2014, I taught 7th grade science and 8th grade mathematics. I hold endorsements in middle school mathematics, science, computer science, language arts, and social studies.

In 2011, I earned my Master's degree in School Leadership from Concordia University. From 2011–2013, I had the challenge and opportunity to serve as the District Common Core Coordinator in my previous district while continuing to teach 8th grade mathematics. During that time, I also taught an after-school Illinois Math and Science Academy Fusion class, led the 8th grade teacher team, and facilitated science and mathematics curriculum development at the middle school.

My journey at Brooks began in 2014, when I joined the community as the 6th Grade Assistant Principal. In 2017, I was honored to become Principal of Brooks Middle School. Throughout my tenure in District 97, I have had the opportunity to participate on teams that helped advise and shape the district's vision, goals, and strategic plan. I value this work because I believe a clear strategic plan provides an important foundation for thoughtful decision-making and meaningful progress, both at the district and school levels.

I am deeply dedicated to the Brooks community and passionate about creating environments where both students and educators can thrive. At my core, I still love being a teacher. I love collaborating with others, learning alongside them, and helping to influence and challenge the thinking of both children and adults. I believe middle school is a particularly important time in a young person's life, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of that journey with our students and families.

Outside of school, life has brought some wonderful new chapters as well. In 2025, I married my husband, Tim, who is also an educator. Through our marriage, my family has grown in another very special way. Tim's son, William, is now an important part of my family as well. Becoming a family together has been one of the meaningful changes in this new chapter of my life, and I feel grateful for the opportunity to watch all of our adult children continue to grow, find their paths, and build lives of their own.

Together, we enjoy spending time with our family and friends, traveling and exploring new places, reading, exercising, playing board and card games, and simply enjoying the everyday moments that make life meaningful.

And then there's Oscar, our 6-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, who is a very important part of our family. He brings plenty of personality, love, and probably more hair than we need into our home!

I am thrilled to continue serving the students, families, and educators of Brooks Middle School and the Oak Park community. Thank you for entrusting us with the opportunity to partner with you during these important middle school years. Please do not hesitate to reach out by email or phone with questions, concerns, ideas, or just as importantly, celebratory news. I love hearing about the ways our students are learning, leading, lifting others, and growing.

Welcome to Brooks! I look forward to getting to know you and your child and to another wonderful year together.

Warmly,

April Moriarty
Principal, Brooks Middle School