Nazirah Purnell

Nazirah is passionate about education reform, with a specific focus on enhancing the quality of education and expanding access for underserved youth. She aspires to find effective solutions that can bridge opportunity and outcome gaps for all children birth to the grade 12. Additionally, she aims to help facilitate the journey of more first-generation, low-income students to college and beyond.

Nazirah currently serves as an analyst at Watershed, supporting early childhood and K-12 initiatives. She started her career as a sixth grade reading, English, and language arts lead teacher at a Title 1 community school in Prince George’s County, Md. There she co-taught four levels of students (English Language Learners, Special Education, General Education, and Honors) and increased their ability in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing to 85% mastery.

Nazirah attended Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU as a first-generation college student. She holds a BA in Political Science with a minor in English and pre-law certificate. She enjoys spending her free time exploring the great outdoors with her son Omari.