The Book: Thriving in a Public School
How One Classroom Sparked a Movement
Written by educator and activist Al Levie, Thriving in a Public School tells the powerful true story of how students and teachers in Racine, Wisconsin transformed their classrooms into spaces for organizing, critical thinking, and action.
Spanning two decades of teaching at Horlick High School, the book chronicles how young people built real power through Youth Empowered in the Struggle (Y.E.S.), a student-led movement that fought for immigrant rights, racial justice, and equity in education.
Levie shows how authentic learning happens when students act collectively to change their world, not just study it.
Recognition & Impact
📖 #1 New Release on Amazon in Education Organizations & Institutions
🗞️ Featured in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Progressive Magazine, and Shepherd Express, where Levie was recognized as an Everyday Hero
🎙️ Interviewed on Busted Pencils Radio and We Hold These Truths (Boston Public TV)
❤️ Praised by Voces de la Frontera for empowering a new generation of civic leaders
Reviews
“Every classroom teacher should read this. It’s about courage, community, and how students can lead.”
— Educator Review, Wisconsin
“This isn’t theory—it’s a roadmap for turning schools into engines of justice.”
— The Progressive Magazine
“The experience helped me grow as a teacher. The teacher/student divide had been bridged.”
— Aaron Eick, Horlick High School Teacher
🛒 Get the Book
📗 Buy on Amazon
📘 Request Bulk or Educator Copies
📙 Learn about the Documentary inspired by the book
🎥 See the Story Come to Life
The book inspired the feature documentary Thriving in Public Schools, Filmed and Directed by Emmy Award winning cinematographer Rommel Genciana.
➡️ Watch the Trailer
