GEMS Education welcomes Julie Young as Education Advisor to elevate American curriculum schools and drive technological innovation
In a move to further strengthen its global reputation for educational excellence, GEMS Education has appointed Julie Young, a celebrated education entrepreneur and innovator, as an Education Advisor. Young will play a key role in supporting GEMS' American curriculum schools and advising on the integration of technology across its network of schools worldwide.
Julie Young, President of the Julie Young Foundation, is widely regarded as a trailblazer in K-12 education, particularly for her contributions to the development of virtual and technology-enhanced learning models. With decades of experience in education and leadership, she has garnered numerous accolades for her visionary approach to school design, including the prestigious Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education, recognition as a Top 50 Innovator in Digital Learning's Converge Yearbook, and the ASU-GSV Power of Women award.
Having started her career as an elementary school teacher and principal, Young's pioneering efforts in the field of online education have transformed the landscape of K-12 learning. Perhaps her most notable achievement is the design and leadership of Florida Virtual School (FLVS), which she led from its inception in 1996 as President and CEO. Under her leadership, FLVS became a global model of excellence in online learning, demonstrating the immense potential of technology to enhance educational experiences.
Beyond FLVS, Young expanded her influence at Arizona State University (ASU), where she served as Vice President of Educational Outreach and Student Services. At ASU, she was instrumental in building and scaling the K-12 online education platform ASU Prep Digital, which today serves as a key innovation hub for digital learning resources and tools.
In her new advisory role with GEMS Education, Young expressed her excitement about contributing to the group's mission of educational excellence. “GEMS Education has a rich history of innovation in global K-12 education. In this advisory role, I look forward to contributing my expertise in online education and school design, particularly to support the American curriculum schools,” she said.
Mr. Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of GEMS Education, welcomed Young's appointment, saying, “At GEMS, we are looking to enhance what we do and how we do it, which is why we are delighted to welcome Julie Young as a valuable advisor. Bringing her considerable expertise and vision and her unparalleled track record of success, she will no doubt help us to challenge the status quo, raise standards even higher, particularly across our American curriculum schools, and ultimately better the outcomes for students across the GEMS network.”
