The High School of Business™ (HSB) Teacher Advisory Committee (TAC) was established to provide a voice for our HSB teachers across the country. As the program grows, we believe it’s important to assemble a group of experienced HSB teachers to collaborate on program support and improvements. These teachers can also assist with presentations and events as needed.
We have two amazing teachers at TAC and the HSB community that we want to celebrate! A big shout-out to Kristen Stuart and Maria Machin! Thank you both for your incredible service and dedication to the HSB program! We truly appreciate all that you do!
Read more on Kristen and Maria below:
Kristen Stuart is a program teacher at West Career and Technical Academy, a National Blue Ribbon magnet school in Las Vegas, NV. Kristen earned her MBA with an Accounting Emphasis and is also recognized as a National Board Certified Teacher. Having been an FBLA adviser for the past 26 years and DECA adviser for the past 5 years, Kristen’s leadership has led to tremendous success, with many students placing at FBLA and DECA State Conference competitions, as well as several students being recognized at the FBLA and DECA National conferences.
In 2022, Kristen received the Nevada FBLA Adviser of the Year designation, and she was also awarded Nevada Business Education Teacher of the Year in 2008. She has also been an active member on the NV ACTE board, the NV BEA Board, and an active member of NBEA. Within the past eight years, West CTA’s HSB Program has consistently had numerous students place in the Top 10% on HSB Exams. Currently, Kristen is in her tenth year as a teacher in the High School of Business™ program and fourth year on the HSB Teacher Advisory Committee. Previously, Kristen has served on the MBA Teacher Advisory Network Committee and several state standards and curriculum committees in the Business and Marketing strands.
“I feel that the HSB curriculum is some of the best curriculum available for students at the secondary level that helps them prepare for post secondary and the real world. The projects help the students learn life skills–how to think critically, research, data analysis, solve problems, and adapt with confidence. I love getting to see the students’ excitement when they realize that the content they are learning is life skills and when they learn how to apply these skills to the real world, they’re prepared for life.“
Student Quotes
“Upon arrival at the Business Management Program at West Tech, I have learned to fall in love with the mixture of project-based and research-focused learning, allowing me to enhance my business knowledge and soft skills all at once.” HSB Student, Class of 2028
“I’ve grown immensely from the High School of Business Program. From learning how to market a business to exploring current economic trends, this education has prepared me for both college and my future career. Most importantly, I can confidently say that the HSB curriculum has also taught me to become a stronger presenter and more confident leader.” HSB Student, Class of 2026
Maria Machin is a National Board-Certified Teacher at Eastern High School in Louisville, Kentucky, a Flagship HSB Program. Throughout her teaching career, she gained experience as both a DECA and FBLA advisor. Prior to teaching, she spent 10 years in marketing management for Levi Strauss & Co., & Liz Claiborne. This experience, along with PBL training by the Buck Institute, Southern Regional Education Board, and High School of Business, has allowed her to fine-tune her expertise in writing and delivering quality instruction. She was the recipient of the Hilliard-Lyons Teaching Award for excellence in teaching Business.
She has a B.A. in Marketing from Indiana State University, where she also attended the College Internship Program at Walt Disney World. In addition, she has a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Louisville. She joined the HSB Teacher Advisory Committee 3 years ago and enjoys mentoring new HSB teachers. She has a very supportive husband, two amazing sons, and two very loyal dogs.
Maria’s classroom just finished a big presentation to judges from Canopy KY about students’ new business pitches. Project 2 (Make the Most of It) in Business Economics this year had the added enrichment of Canopy KY services. Canopy KY is a nonprofit that works with businesses across Kentucky to improve their business operations. They assist companies in developing their core values and Leadership styles to improve their external impact on all stakeholders in the community. This fits perfectly with the project goals of developing the best possible use for a vacant lot.
In addition, Billicia Sullivan, Community Engagement Manager with Louisville Metro Landbank Authority, shared 6 available lots from which students could choose their new business innovation. The lots are part of the $1 Lot program, where applicants can buy the real estate for $1/year in exchange for developing underused land in the city.