For over three decades, Becky Stutz has been guiding students through the ever-changing world of marketing, business and leadership. As a proud graduate of Anthony Wayne High School (AWHS) with deep-rooted ties to the community, Becky's journey from student to educator has come full circle, impacting countless students along the way.
A Journey from Art to Business Education
When she was a student at AWHS, Becky’s initial passion was art, and she took every available course and envisioned a future career as an artist. She decided to enroll in a business class when a friend encouraged her to join DECA* a decision that would eventually lead to a successful career as an educator.
“I didn’t even know what DECA was, I just signed up because my friends were there,” Becky admits. “It turns out that I was really good at business and marketing. And even though I was a shy kid who was terrified of public speaking, I ended up being the only student who participated in the DECA state competition.”
Despite her success in business and growing confidence, Becky still initially pursued a major in art in college but soon realized it wasn’t the right fit. Recalling her success in business at AWHS, she switched to general business.
“Then one day a recruiter came into class looking for students interested in switching to business and marketing education,” she said. “My initial thought was, ‘I can’t stand in front of people and speak all day!’ but I made the switch, and the doors continued to open for me - and I just kept going.”
Since then, she has spent 32 years in education, with the past 17 at AWHS under Penta Career Center’s satellite program.
The Evolution of Teaching & Career Technical Education
Becky’s love for teaching and dedication to her students has remained strong over the years, but also she acknowledges the changes in education that have placed increasing pressures on educators over the years.
“I love my job. I love the kids, the classroom and the experiences that I’m able to give them,” she said. “But the non-instructional workload has increased tremendously over the years, and while it serves a purpose, it does take time away from what I love most—teaching, preparing engaging and meaningful lessons, and mentoring students.”
Despite the challenges, Becky’s passion for her students and their success continues to drive her. Through her classes—including Marketing, Contemporary Business & DECA, Career Search & College Readiness, and the Marketing Co-op Work Experience—she equips students with foundational business and marketing knowledge, hands-on experience and professional communication skills.
Her favorite part is seeing the growth that happens in her students as they learn the course content and work with their classmates to apply their new knowledge.
“They come in unsure of themselves, and by the time they leave they’ve mastered public speaking, marketing strategies and business fundamentals,” she explained. “Seeing them overcome challenges and gain confidence is incredibly rewarding.”
DECA & Competitive Success
As the DECA advisor, Becky has helped her students achieve remarkable success in competitions. Dozens of students each year advance to the state level of competition, with many also moving on to the international conference. Last year, one standout team placed first at the state level for two consecutive years—in itself an extraordinary feat—and then went on to secure a top-10 finish at the international level.
Most recently, another team excelled in the Virtual Business Challenge, an intense online business simulation against schools from multiple states.
“It was only the third time in my career that a team advanced in this challenge,” Becky said. “They placed second out of 71 schools, earning a direct ticket to Orlando for the internationall competition.”
Despite her students’ overwhelming successes, Becky is not one to take the credit for their achievements.
“While I have learned a lot over the years about the competition process and what the judges are looking for, the work largely falls on the students,” she said. “They have such a strong work ethic and are willing to mentor their peers. That teamwork and leadership make a huge impact on the chapter.”
Becky also said she appreciates that the culture of AWHS lends itself to student success.
“For the most part, students have a learner’s mindset. They care about their education and grades – and are highly motivated and competitive,” she explained. “I give them what they need in foundational knowledge, and they are willing to run with it.”
Real-World Experiences & Community Support
One of Becky’s strengths as an educator is connecting students with real-world business experiences. Through advisory committees, industry partnerships, guest speakers and field trips, she ensures students are prepared for the workforce.
“The feedback we get from local professionals reinforces what we teach and helps students see the relevance of their education. It’s incredibly valuable,” she said.
She also credits students’ parents and the AWHS community for supporting their education and experiences.
“Their families are involved, ask about their projects and support their participation,” Becky said. “And our community is very supportive and wants to see students do well. That combination makes all the difference.”
Prepared for the Future
Not every student enrolled in one of Becky’s classes intends to pursue a career in marketing or business, but they all take away information and skills they can use no matter what path they take.
“Almost everyone ends up working in an organization of some kind,” she explained. “The foundational business knowledge will help them understand the basics of how and why they operate the way they do.”
The students also gain real-world skills from their experiences in her classroom. Whether it’s
public speaking, problem-solving, adaptability or collaboration, it’s clear Becky is providing students with experiences that are preparing them for their next steps.
“I’ve had former students tell me their college classes feel easier because they were already exposed to key business concepts,” she said. “Even a pre-med student reached out to thank me because she had to do a SWOT analysis in class and already knew how.”
Becky Stutz’s dedication to her students, her love for education and her commitment to their success make her an invaluable part of AWHS. Through her work in the classroom and DECA, she continues to shape the next generation of leaders, one student at a time.
*DECA is a national Career Technical Student Organization that provides opportunities for students to learn business concepts in preparation for college and employment through classroom instruction, business networking and competition opportunities. The Anthony Wayne chapter of DECA is a satellite program of Penta Career Center.