Case Study
Teacher Appreciation Spreads Sunshine on Social Media
Clients: Education
Services: School Communications, Social Media
Shout Outs Help Build Community Pride
THE SITUATION
We all have a beloved teacher who has made a positive impact on our lives. Bound Brook School District wanted to celebrate those special mentors and build community pride. In partnership with Laura Bishop Communications, the district set a goal of recognizing the educators who make the district #BoundToAstound. Highlighting staff kudos on social media is a communications method to foster an inclusive culture and retain high-quality staff, a goal for the district in its community-informed strategic plan.
THE STRATEGY
Teacher Appreciation Week in May provided the perfect timing for the district to recognize its teachers in a monthlong celebration. A social media series would align with the district’s #BoundToAstound tagline and promote positivity to further strengthen BBSD’s culture and build trust in the BBSD teachers and the exceptional learning environment they create.
To encourage broad participation, parents, students and community members were invited in an email to submit thank-you messages through a Google Form. LBC developed the creative theme “Our Teachers are Golden” to capture the warmth, dedication and lasting impact of educators. Radiant sun rays surrounding the heartfelt messages submitted by the school community symbolized the positivity across the district. The design was intentionally different from Bound Brook’s usual red/black crusader appearance to stand out; however, weaving in the district’s hashtag (#BoundToAstound) made the series feel cohesive.
To kick off the celebration, LBC worked with Superintendent Dr. Alvin L. Freeman to create an engaging reel. The video served as an engaging example, thanks to Dr. Freeman’s charismatic aura and his knack for forming genuine, personable connections – even digitally.
THE WIN
Teacher Appreciation Month created a meaningful way for the entire school community to show gratitude. In its first year, the district recognized two dozen teachers through the social media series. Comments like “Thank you so much” and “👍🤜🏻🤛🏻✌🏼” proved the series resonated deeply with the community. The series also amplified positive storytelling about the district and its culture.
Beyond Bound Brook, neighboring school districts across New Jersey (and even some from across the country) requested permission to use the template and replicate the concept in their own communities. This local initiative to celebrate BBSD’s golden staff quickly became a model for promoting appreciation and positivity in other communities. The series has become a staple in the district’s yearly communications plan.