Case Study: Developing a Brand Strategy for Teach Boldly
Introduction
In the competitive landscape of educational consulting, a strong brand isn't just a luxury—it's essential for creating recognition, trust, and connection with target audiences. Teach Boldly, an educational coaching service focused on supporting new teachers, approached us with a vision to transform its brand from a personalized coaching service ("Hey Coach Dee") into a comprehensive educational resource with broader appeal.
This case study explores how we developed a comprehensive brand strategy that positioned Teach Boldly as a bridge between teacher education and real-world classroom success, creating a foundation for growth and impact in the educational sector.
The Client: Teach Boldly
Destinee Stroud, an experienced instructional coach, had built a reputation for helping new teachers navigate the challenges of their early classroom years. Operating under the name "Hey Coach Dee," she had established herself as a trusted mentor who provides practical support, resources, and encouragement to educators at the beginning of their careers.
While her personalized approach had created strong connections with individual teachers, Destinee recognized the need to expand her reach and impact. She wanted to:
Rebrand from "Hey Coach Dee" to "Teach Boldly" to better reflect her mission.
Appeal to both individual teachers and institutional clients
Create a more professional, cohesive brand identity.
Develop a structured content strategy to reach her target audiences effectively.
The Challenge
The primary challenge was creating a brand identity that could serve two distinct audiences simultaneously:
New Teachers seeking practical classroom management skills, emotional support, and professional development resources
School districts/administrators are looking for quality training programs to improve teacher retention and classroom effectiveness.
Additional challenges included:
Transitioning from a personalized coaching brand to a more scalable educational service without losing authenticity
Creating a visual identity that balanced professionalism with approachability
Developing a content strategy that addressed both immediate classroom needs and long-term professional development
Providing implementation resources that would enable consistent brand expression
Our Solution: Brand Strategy Development
My approach to developing the Teach Boldly brand strategy involved a comprehensive process focused on creating an authentic, actionable framework that would serve both business objectives and audience needs.
Brand Story
I began by crafting a compelling brand story that articulated the purpose and vision behind Teach Boldly
Mission Statement
Working closely with Destinee, I refined her mission into a clear, actionable statement:
To prepare new teachers for classroom success by elevating their confidence, providing actionable resources, and fostering a supportive community that promotes bold, effective teaching practices.
This mission statement serves as a north star for all brand decisions, emphasizing practical resources and emotional support while highlighting the brand's community aspect.
Visual Identity
Color Palette
I developed a strategic color palette that combines professionalism with energy and optimism:
This palette balances the trustworthiness needed for institutional credibility with the warmth and energy that appeals to individual teachers seeking support and motivation.
Typography
The typography selection focused on readability and character:
This pairing creates a hierarchy that guides readers through content while maintaining a professional yet accessible feel throughout all brand communications.
Mood Board
We created a comprehensive mood board visually representing the Teach Boldly brand essence. This mood board featured:
Authentic classroom settings
Diverse representation of teachers and students
Clean, well-lit photography
The mood board served as both a visual guide and an emotional touchstone, ensuring all brand elements evoke the intended feelings of confidence, support, and professionalism.
Brand Tone and Voice
I established a distinctive brand voice characterized by specific tone attributes. These guidelines ensure that all communications—whether addressing new teachers or school administrators—maintain a consistent voice while allowing flexibility for context-appropriate adjustments.
Content Pillars
I developed six strategic content pillars aligned with the needs of both individual teachers and educational institutions:
These pillars provide a structured framework for content creation while ensuring comprehensive coverage of educator needs across different career stages and contexts.
Platform-Specific Strategy
To maximize effectiveness across different channels, I developed tailored approaches for key platforms.
Implementation
To ensure successful implementation, I provided comprehensive resources, including:
Brand Style Guide
Content Templates
Implementation Timeline
Client Portal
Results and Impact
The rebranding from "Hey Coach Dee" to "Teach Boldly" created a professional educational brand with significant potential for growth. The comprehensive brand strategy:
Positioned Destinee as an educational thought leader rather than just a personal coach
Created a scalable framework for reaching both individual teachers and institutions
Established a distinctive visual identity that stands out in the educational space
Provided a structured content approach aligned with audience needs
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates the transformative power of strategic brand development for educational services. By creating a comprehensive brand strategy that addresses both business objectives and audience needs, I helped Teach Boldly establish a foundation for growth and impact.
The key takeaways from this project include:
A successful educational brand must balance professionalism with approachability
Content strategy should align with specific audience needs while maintaining brand consistency
Implementation resources are essential for translating strategy into action
A phased approach to brand rollout creates sustainable momentum
Whether you're an educational consultant, coach, or service provider, a strategic approach to branding can help you clarify your message, reach your ideal audience, and create meaningful impact.
Ready to transform your educational brand? Let's create a strategy that connects with your audience and drives your mission forward.