Meet our Administrative Team

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Melissa Capurro, Assistant Principal

Melissa Capurro has been a part of the Moreland School District for 18 years and will be serving her 6th year as an MMS Assistant Principal. Prior to her administrative work, Melissa has taught middle school Math and AVID, was a district math lead, been the AVID District Director, and MMS instructional coach.

Melissa serves to empower students to become reflective, determined, and confident. She is passionate about working alongside students, staff, and families to best serve the community and students that MMS serves. Melissa is drawn to the unique period of adolescent development, seeking to understand and support middle school students academically, socially, and emotionally.

Melissa received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State. She earned her multiple-subject teaching credential and subject matter authorization (math) from San Jose State in 2009.
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Carol Chen, Assistant Principal

Ms. Chen is entering her 4th year as an Assistant Principal at Moreland Middle School. Before joining the Moreland community, she spent 15 years in SJUSD in various roles such as Assistant Principal, School Linked Services Coordinator, and Guidance Counselor at the middle school and high school levels. Middle school has always been her favorite age of students to work with. She loves that every day is different and that there are always opportunities to learn academically and socially.

Ms. Chen received her Administrative Credential from the LEAP program from the Santa Clara County Office of Education, M.A., in Counseling Education with a speciality in Child Welfare and Attendance from San Jose State University, and a B.A., in Psychology from San Jose State University. She grew up 2 miles away from Moreland Middle and has lived in the bay area her entire life. Her favorite part of San Jose is the multitude of different cultures and the incredible food that we have to offer. She is proud to be a Mustang!

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Larry Lopez, Principal

While Larry Lopez is new to Moreland Middle School, he has been in education for over 20 years. During most of that time he spent it in high school, as a teacher, activities director, assistant principal and principal. Larry’s passion is building community through partnership, fostering collaboration to find solutions, and preparing our students to see their full potential as they transition from middle school to high school.

Larry is excited to join the team and contribute to the work being done that will continue to elevate Moreland Middle School as a premier educational institution here in the bay area. Through a schoolwide focus on the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) framework, engaging students in rigorous opportunities and embracing our diverse backgrounds and perspectives, together, we will cultivate students’ strengths to equip them with skills to prepare each one for collegiate and career pathways after high school.

Larry has received both his master’s degree in Educational Leadership and his administrative credentials from San Jose State University. Larry also earned his Bachelors of Arts from California State University Stanislaus.