The Skidmore prize is awarded annually to 4 nonprofit leaders under 35 who are making a huge impact on their city. As Open School East Middle School Program Director, Nawwal works tirelessly to make sure every student is met with compassion and consistency. With her special blend of humor, vulnerability and realness, she supports students and staff through tough situations and sets them up to achieve their goals.

She spoke to Willamette Week about makes Open School different, saying, “At a small school, we get to take our time and space to help students build skills and understand the impact of the choices they make. These relationships are close-knit and labor intensive, but we get the opportunity to do things differently.”

Read and share her incredible interview here!