endorsements

In 1997, as Speaker of the Florida House, I helped create a pilot program for a novel experiment called Florida Virtual School. The notion of children using computers in classrooms and reporting to virtual teachers wasn't exactly mainstream thinking back then. But Julie caught the vision, and thanks to her expertise, perseverance, and vision, Florida Virtual School grew from a two-county project into a statewide school that has served millions of Florida students and is the national gold standard for online education.  Thank you, Julie, for your dedicated service and for helping the next generation by writing this book so we can continue to improve education and equip more students to achieve success!

"In 'Say Yes! How Virtual Became Reality,' Julie Young tells the inside story of how a bold experiment grew into Florida Virtual School, the nation's first statewide public online school, by reimagining learning around personalization, access, and design thinking. Young chronicles breakthroughs in virtual and hybrid learning, workforce-aligned education, and culture-building while focusing relentlessly on individual students rather than bureaucratic systems. Blending memoir with practical leadership lessons, the book shows how these pioneering innovations evolved at Arizona State University into models that blur the boundaries between high school and college, increasing equity and opportunity for learners worldwide. Essential reading for academic administrators navigating the transformative environments of virtual learning."

"Virtual schooling wasn't a category when Julie Young launched the Florida Virtual School. And a startup and a public school weren't exactly synonyms. This is a story with big lessons for all entrepreneurs about how to create something from nothing -- and do it with imagination, quality, and humanity."

Julie Young didn't just build a school; she proved that a small team with the right values can redesign an entire system. Say Yes! is a masterclass in leading change: how to build culture, empower people, and stay stubbornly focused on the ones you serve. Leaders in any field will find themselves in these pages.

"Few leaders truly transform an industry, and even fewer do so humbly while redefining what leadership itself looks like. As a globally recognized pioneer in virtual learning, Julie Young has consistently broken the mold, challenging traditional educational models and replacing them with innovative, student-centric programs grounded in technology, accessibility, and measurable learning outcomes.

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Her visionary thinking is matched only by her ability to execute. Julie does not innovate for innovation’s sake; she builds innovative learning models where academic performance is clearly defined, progress is measurable, and student success is at the center of every decision. Long before virtual learning became mainstream, she understood its power to expand opportunity, elevate intellectual development, and foster academic achievement.

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What sets her apart is not only her strategic brilliance but also her leadership style and infectious energy. She leads with influence, inviting input from every vantage point, fostering collaboration among team members, thought partners, and industry experts, and empowering others to contribute to a shared vision. Her passion for students is evident in every initiative she launches, every team she builds, and every culture of excellence she creates.

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As a female executive, she serves as a powerful yet deeply relatable role model. She demonstrates that strength and empathy coexist, that innovation and integrity go hand in hand, and that influence is earned through authenticity and results.

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Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a trusted friend, colleague, and confidante — admired for her wisdom, respected for her expertise, and valued for her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference.

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Her work has shaped the future of education. Her leadership continues to inspire those fortunate enough to learn from and alongside her, and her friendship and wisdom are invaluable to everyone she touches. Virtual Schools, Actual Learning – Digital Education in America – is more than a history of virtual learning. It is an insight into who it is, how it began, and how it transformed learning for every student in every environment across the globe."

"Julie’s story is a masterclass in visionary leadership grounded in the heart of a classroom teacher. Long before online learning became commonplace, she built the first statewide virtual school in Florida, reimagining what it meant—in her words—to teach not a class, but a child.

With warmth and candor, she recounts pivotal moments alongside leaders from Governor Jeb Bush to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, navigating skepticism and policy barriers that feel strikingly familiar today. As education stands at the edge of another transformation driven by artificial intelligence, her experience offers a timely perspective. The lessons she learned remind us that innovation succeeds not because of technology alone, but because of steady, relentless, results-focused effort.

A beautifully written and deeply relevant account of how bold ideas, thoughtfully led, can radically change education."

"It is clear that Julie's heartfelt journey in virtual education has always centered on making a difference in the lives of students. In 'Say Yes! How Virtual Became Reality,' she shares the lessons learned in flipping the system and the steps needed for success. I highly recommend this book for educators, administrators, and aspiring innovators who want to make a difference." 

"Unlike most authors in our field, Julie Young lived in the world she writes about, creating one of the first, and easily the largest, online public schools in the U.S. Her first-person story, recounting how she launched and grew Florida Virtual School after more than a decade as a teacher, tech specialist, assistant principal, and other roles in brick-and-mortar public schools, demonstrates how a dedicated educator can be as innovative and impactful as any Silicon Valley entrepreneur."

"Hard to believe it has been 30 years since the rumblings of FLVS began as a dream, and that we embraced the challenge to build something that became a reality, surpassing what anyone thought possible. I was honored then and honored now to be a part of this journey which only those of us who were there will ever really know the incredible hearts and passion it took to build a truly out of the box student centric virtual education model. As much love as skill went into the foundation, and it is what made you, the team, and FLVS special. Thanks for writing this book and sharing your journey as a servant leader, leaving an indelible imprint from your caring heart and pioneering vision in education that has"

"I had the privilege of working alongside Julie Young as we built Florida Virtual School from an idea into a movement. Say Yes! is the story of courage — the courage to challenge entrenched systems, to fight for students who needed something different, and to persist when easier paths were available. Julie’s leadership changed lives, and this book captures both the heart and the hard work behind that transformation."

"In a world where innovation is often met with resistance, Julie Young’s story stands as a powerful reminder of what vision, perseverance, clarity of mission, and courageous leadership can accomplish.  The author highlights how an unwavering belief in students’ potential made the seemingly impossible achievable.  It reminds readers that transformative change begins with a small group of committed individuals willing to imagine what does not exist—and then work tirelessly to make it real.  Julie Young weaves her personal story into the story of how Florida Virtual School broke the mold in education and became a world-class virtual school.  This interesting book is a must read."

"For nearly twenty years we had the privilege of working closely with Julie Young as she helped pioneer meaningful innovation in virtual education. This book reflects the same clarity of vision, dedication to students, and forward-thinking leadership we witnessed every day. It’s both inspiring and deeply relevant for today’s education landscape."

"Julie Young is one of the rare leaders who combines bold vision with the discipline to make that vision real. When I had the privilege of serving as Executive Coach to Julie and the Florida Virtual School leadership team, I witnessed firsthand the courage, curiosity, and persistence required to build something that had never been done before.

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What makes Say Yes! How Virtual Became Reality so compelling is that it does not present innovation as a neat or linear process. Julie shows what it actually looks like to challenge assumptions, navigate resistance, and keep moving forward when the path is unclear. Her story is not just about technology or education reform; it is about leadership - the kind that asks thoughtful questions, trusts talented people, and remains anchored in a belief in human potential.

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This book offers valuable lessons for educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in any field who want to turn bold ideas into meaningful impact. Julie’s work reminds us that when courageous leadership meets a commitment to students, transformation becomes possible."

"Julie Young and I have walked parallel paths for fifteen years, both of us convinced that technology, done right, could unlock learning for every child regardless of zip code or circumstance. Say Yes! is the book I wish had existed when we were both in the trenches. Julie doesn't just tell you what she built; she shows you how she thought, how she led, and how she refused to let the weight of an entrenched system crush a better idea. For anyone who believes that personalized, student-centered learning is not a luxury but a right, this book is essential reading."

"Virtual schooling wasn't a category when Julie Young launched the Florida Virtual School. And a startup and a public school weren't exactly synonyms. This is a story with big lessons for all entrepreneurs about how to create something from nothing -- and do it with imagination, quality, and humanity."

"I had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Julie when the internet was just beginning to open up. Her passion, experience & creativity recognized a critical need & opportunity to match the explosive impact of technology with the equally explosive needs for skills and access to education that were not dependent upon time, location, or bricks & mortar.

"Her dynamic energy, knowledge, creative leadership, and expansive vision led to the development of one of the world’s largest and most successful virtual learning institutions. In spite of countless “naysayers” focused on fighting change, her courage led the way through countless challenges that have today created a proven pathway for millions in this country & beyond."

"Julie Young is a true pioneer. Reading this book will reveal not only her innovative spirit but also her ability to grow virtual learning worldwide. She and her partners have opened education pathways never before available to children, ranking her among the giants in education."

Julie Young’s book, Say Yes! How Virtual Became Reality, is an in-depth play-by-play recounting of the author’s illustrious career as a true pioneer. While the book focuses on her career helping transform the landscape for education, it is more of an autobiographical recounting of the many risks she had to take, adversities she had to overcome, and persistence in spite of the doubters she had to ignore to create something bold and ambitious from literally nothing.

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I had the pleasure of working with Julie during an important part of my career as an education technologist.  Most of my interactions with Julie were limited to the realm of the Learning Management System I supported on behalf of Florida Virtual School. Reading Julie’s book helps me appreciate even more the myriad realms where she not only had to lead but also pioneer. Julie does a great job underscoring the vast number of people from different backgrounds and skill sets she had to work with successfully and to earn their trust, which she did over and over again.

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To achieve her success on behalf of digital learners and teachers everywhere, Julie had to develop business savvy working with companies from many industries, from small start-ups (like the one I was running when I worked with her) to global giants like IBM, and many in-between. She had to work skillfully with politicians and bureaucrats from every level, from state government to county school district representatives in Florida and beyond.

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When I met Julie, I was 29-years old and had a start-up e-learning software company I was trying to get off the ground.  Julie had already turned Florida Virtual School into the envy of the fledgling e-learning industry. There were companies that were bending over backward to work with Florida Virtual School, far bigger, more reputable, and, on paper, more capable than what I presented to her and her team. She gave me a chance.  She listened to my ideas.  She demonstrated she was willing not just to accept the pretty packaging put in front of her, but also to listen, learn, and dig deeper to find people and processes that could be difference-makers in helping her achieve her extraordinary vision. 

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I am forever grateful to Julie for giving me a chance to work with her at Florida Virtual School.  The impact she had on my career as a technologist, based on the opportunities she gave me cannot be put into words. I hope Julie’s book finds its way into the hands of people well outside the realm of education. 

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As an entrepreneur for more than half my life, Julie did a great job capturing the relentless hustle that goes into bringing an idea to life, building it, and sustaining it. As will happen with any great entrepreneur, Julie had to deal with no absence of adversity.  Her triumphant re-emergence as the leader of the Arizona State School after her tenure at Florida Virtual School had ended is both inspirational and gratifying in a story where the “good guy” won in the end. I am very proud to know Julie, to have had her as a colleague, and to count her as my friend. I hope anyone reading these words will read Julie’s book and find as much joy in reading it as I did.

"In Say Yes!, Julie Young describes how online education has evolved and how it thrives in today's connected world. With exceptional clarity, Julie guides the reader through the remarkable revolution of online learning from early distance-learning ideas to current AI applications. Balancing thoughtful online foundations with practical implementation makes Say Yes a reference for students and professionals alike. A keeper for all educational libraries and programs."

"Julie Young’s professional journey is the history of online learning in America. She helped create it as a high-quality, full- and part-time option and scale it across all states. For three decades, Julie has been the ambassador for high-quality virtual and hybrid learning, always advancing the field as a partner in public education, not a competitor. Say Yes! is Julie’s mission and the story of her journey; it is an inspiration that every educator and change-maker should read."