Each year, a special week is set aside to celebrate the everyday heroes who shape our future—teachers. Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 falls from May 5th to May 9th, and during this time, countless brands, retailers, and restaurants across the U.S. show their gratitude by offering exclusive discounts and freebies to educators.
Whether you’re a kindergarten teacher shaping young minds or a high school educator preparing students for adulthood, this is your time to be recognized—and to enjoy some well-deserved perks.
Below is a comprehensive guide to the best Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 deals, including retail discounts, restaurant freebies, travel deals, and more.
🎁 Retail Discounts for Teachers
1. Target
Teachers who sign up for Target Circle and verify their educator status can enjoy a 15% discount on select items. This includes school supplies, classroom furniture, and more. Target typically rolls out this discount during Teacher Appreciation Week, and it’s a fantastic way to restock essentials without breaking the bank.
2. Office Depot & OfficeMax
Educators can join the Office Depot Rewards Program, where they often get up to 25% off classroom essentials, tech accessories, and office supplies. During Teacher Appreciation Week, extra coupons and deals are usually released—so keep your eyes peeled.
3. Joann Fabrics
Joann offers an ongoing 15% teacher discount through its Teacher Rewards Program. You’ll need to verify your teaching status via ID.me. It’s perfect for art, craft, and DIY classroom materials.
4. Michaels
This arts and crafts store continues to support educators year-round with a 15% discount on classroom and creative supplies. Just present a valid educator ID at checkout.
5. Apple
Educators and faculty can visit the Apple Education Store to receive education pricing on select Macs, iPads, and accessories. While the discount might not be massive, it’s a solid way to save on premium tech.
6. Dell
Dell’s Education Discount Program provides exclusive deals on laptops, desktops, and accessories for educators and students alike.
7. Adobe Creative Cloud
Teachers and students can get up to 60% off on Creative Cloud plans. This includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and more—ideal for media or art teachers.
☕ Food and Beverage Freebies
Teacher Appreciation Week isn’t complete without some free treats and discounts from your favorite food chains. Here are some participating restaurants and coffee spots:
1. Chick-fil-A
Many Chick-fil-A locations offer free meals or food items for teachers. Some may provide breakfast sandwiches or lunch entrées with proof of employment, such as a school ID. Offers vary by location, so call ahead to check what your local restaurant is doing.
2. Starbucks
Select Starbucks locations offer a free tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) to teachers during the week. Some branches might also include a pastry or offer discounts on other menu items.
3. McDonald’s
Some franchises offer free breakfast items or beverages to educators—usually in the mornings. Just show your school ID to claim the offer.
4. Buffalo Wild Wings
In past years, participating BWW locations offered 20% off to educators who dined in. While the deal may vary, it’s worth checking if your local branch is running a similar special in 2025.
5. Sonic Drive-In
Sonic has previously offered free drinks or slushes to teachers with a valid school ID. Download the Sonic app to stay updated on any 2025 promotions.
🏝️ Travel & Entertainment Discounts
Teachers deserve a break—and plenty of companies are happy to help you save on travel, fun, and leisure.
1. Disney
Disney occasionally offers special resort discounts to educators and school staff. These often apply to select Disney resort hotels and ticket bundles. It’s best to check their “Special Offers” page or contact a Disney travel planner for educator rates.
2. SeaWorld & Busch Gardens
Teachers in certain states (like Florida and Texas) can register for free admission to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. This typically includes one ticket per year, with the option to bring family members at a discounted rate.
3. Hertz & Enterprise
Teachers may receive up to 25% off car rentals through education partnerships or membership organizations. Check the company’s website or ask customer service for available teacher discounts.
4. Hotels.com & Expedia
Some hotel booking platforms offer exclusive deals to teachers—either directly or through reward partnerships like ID.me or NEA Member Benefits.
📱 Mobile and Digital Perks
1. AT&T and Verizon
Major telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon offer educator-exclusive discounts on mobile plans and devices. For example, Verizon’s “Teachers and Nurses Discount” saves you up to $25/month on select Unlimited plans.
2. Amazon
While Amazon doesn’t offer a “Teacher Prime” membership, they do provide access to discounted teaching supplies and books through Amazon Business for Education. Kindle Unlimited often has deals on education and professional development books, too.
📚 Bookstores & Classroom Resources
1. Barnes & Noble
Teachers who sign up for the Educator Program can save 20% on classroom purchases and up to 25% during special appreciation events like Teacher Appreciation Week.
2. Scholastic
During Teacher Appreciation Week, Scholastic often has sales and free resources on their website. Be on the lookout for printables, lesson plans, and steeply discounted books.
💡 Tips to Make the Most of Teacher Discounts
- Bring Your School ID Everywhere: Even if a brand doesn’t advertise a deal, many are happy to offer on-the-spot discounts to verified educators.
- Sign Up for Verification Platforms: Sites like ID.me, SheerID, and VerifyPass help teachers access verified deals across multiple retailers.
- Follow Brands on Social Media: Companies often post flash deals on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter during Teacher Appreciation Week.
- Check Local Businesses: From salons and yoga studios to boutiques and bookstores—your local businesses may have unadvertised discounts just for teachers.
- Combine Deals with Coupons or Rewards Programs: Stack your teacher discount with store sales, digital coupons, and loyalty points to maximize your savings.
🙌 Final Thoughts
Teacher Appreciation Week is more than just a celebration—it’s a heartfelt thank you to those who go above and beyond to educate, inspire, and nurture. In 2025, companies across the country are stepping up to show their appreciation in meaningful ways.
Whether you’re grabbing a free cup of coffee, scoring a discount on a new laptop, or enjoying a theme park with your family, take advantage of these well-deserved rewards. You’ve earned them.
Thank you for all you do—and happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2025!