Some professors lecture. Others perform. Some classes feel like an obligation. Others feel like an experience.

Regardless of which side of the podium you’re on these days, have you ever thought to ask the question?

Every classroom has a brand, reflective of the instructor that is architecting the learning experience.

Think about it: Students walk into your class with expectations, a gut feeling, a first impression. And whether you’ve intentionally crafted that brand or not, you have one.

  • Students consider the “word on the street” before signing up for a particular class.
  • Students voice their opinion on platforms like RateMyProfessor, Reddit, and unofficial group chats that share opinions before deciding to enroll.
  • Students review the syllabus and reflect on how the class format meshes (or doesn’t mesh) with their learning desires.

And perhaps the most telling—the first five minutes of class tell them everything.

The real question is: What’s your vibe?

Are you the straight shooter? The hype-builder? The sage on the stage? The guide on the side? The facilitator of breakthroughs?

Kevin J. Walker, an advisor to CEOs describes “a brand is a promise kept.”  Just like a great brand, a great classroom is memorable, consistent, and intentionally designed.

So how might you brand your teaching style to make students engaged, invested, and excited to show up.

1. What’s Your Teaching Personality? (Yes, You Have One.)

Every great brand has a personality. So do great teachers.

Your students know your vibe, even if you don’t. Are you:

🎤 The Motivator—High energy, fast-paced, every class feels like a Steve Jobs keynote or inspiring TED Talk?

🧠 The Challenger—Forces students to rethink everything, and loves playing devil’s advocate?

📖 The Storyteller—Hooks them in with real-life case studies and unexpected narratives?

🤝 The Guide—More Socratic method, nudging students toward “aha” moments?

If you’re not sure, ask your students. They’ll tell you exactly what your classroom feels like.

2. Your Classroom Has a Reputation—Shape It.

Think about the best brands. They don’t just sell things—they create a feeling.

Apple? Innovation and sleek design.

Nike? Grit and motivation.

Starbucks? Cozy, ritualistic, “meet-me-for-coffee” culture.

Now apply that to your classroom.

  • What do students say about your class before they take it?
  • What’s the energy level in the room?
  •  What’s the one thing students walk away remembering?

If you don’t like the answers? Rebrand. Intentionally craft the experience you want them to have.

3. Create Your Classroom “Signature” (Yes, Just Like Brands Do)

What makes Starbucks instantly recognizable? It’s their rituals: the cup, the smell, the handwriting, and hearing your name.

In fact, Starbucks post-pandemic, and given the rise of mobile ordering pulled back on many of its rituals. Customers noticed, and as of 2025, some of those famous rituals are coming back.

Your classroom should have the same kind of recognizable touchpoints:

  • Do you have a catchphrase?
  • Does your classroom have a set of rituals? (Perhaps every Monday starts with a check-in on the weekend and a light-hearted debate.)
  • Do you have a go-to method of explaining things (Maybe you default to analogies, personal stories, or jokes)
  • Does your course feature an iconic moment? (An end-of-the-semester challenge, project, or activity?)

Those small rituals, ones that are student-centered, and resonate with a student’s needs create belonging.

4. The Best Brands Adapt; Your Teaching Should, Too

While I teach in the College of Business at the University of Toledo, it doesn’t take a business school professor to remind you that brands that don’t evolve…die.

Kodak didn’t adapt to digital.

Blockbuster ignored Netflix.

They lost relevance.

Same goes for teaching. If you’re using the same slides from five years ago, it’s time for a refresh.

  • Stay culturally aware—Know what students are talking about. If Taylor Swift can break the economy, use it to explain macroeconomics.
  • Experiment with format—Not every class needs the same structure. Debate one day, interactive polling the next.
  • Gather feedback—Brands use customer reviews. You have students. Ask them what’s working (and what’s not).

The best teachers stay fresh,stay flexible, and stay in tune with their audience.

Your classroom has a brand, a reputation, and an identity.

Make it intentional. Make it memorable. Make it yours.

Because at the end of the day, Maya Angelou’s wisdom still holds true:

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”