For two years I had the privilege of serving with Americorps in New Orleans. In New Orleans, I witnessed the force of charter school education and it’s impact on a city that was founded on the power of being unique. The days were long and the curriculum was rigid and daunting. Many teachers were very young and not native to the area. You’d see little signs of hope- a young lady’s take on the school’s uniform or little tiny moments of peace after school. These moments counted. They counted more than I ever knew any small second could.