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The charter school movement has very strong enemies. First, there is the mass of unions, bureaucrats, and politicians working every day against reform. There is ignorance about what exactly charter schools are, which is an enemy as well. At times it might seem like the proponents of charter schools have no chance of success — that we are up against a lot. At the National Charter School Conference there was a sign, however, that our movement is as equally strong as our enemies.

It was a weird sign, but a sign nonetheless –- two interns from the Center for Education Reform were escorted out of the conference. In the past, CER has had disagreements with other pro-school choice and pro-charter school advocate groups. But debate, and even treating interns like delinquents, shows strength. “If two men in business always agree, one is unnecessary”, it has been said. It is in the debate, the vibrant discussions and diverse opinions we have between us that strengthen the movement.

We also have diverse backgrounds, and after the first day of the conference CER had an evening reception with an impressive number of attendants. Teachers, administrators, and founders of charter schools were represented, and remind me of the important work on the ground – educating children – that is the entire point of the movement. There were business people, those from charities, and advocacy organizations as well.

So far as an intern I have learned a lot, and the biggest lesson so far is just how diverse the movement is that I am happy to be a part of it. And I am grateful to have learned it, despite what really brought the lesson home was getting thrown out of a conference.

Tyler Losey is a rising senior at George Washington University majoring in Political Science/Public Policy. He is from upstate New York and we are excited he is interning with the Center for Education Reform this summer.