North Carolina educators invest significant personal funds into their classrooms each year, with many spending hundreds of dollars on essential supplies. To support these professionals, various programs and businesses across the state offer free resources, discounts, and appreciation giveaways. This guide compiles verified information on available opportunities, ranging from free classroom materials to retail discounts and dining deals. All details are sourced from official program pages, verified promotional announcements, and state educational resources.
Free Classroom Supplies Programs
One of the most substantial forms of support for teachers comes from programs designed to offset the cost of classroom materials. These initiatives provide essential items at no cost, reducing the financial burden on educators.
WakeEd Partnership’s Tools4Schools
Teachers in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) have access to a dedicated resource for free classroom supplies through the WakeEd Partnership’s Tools4Schools store. This program addresses the reality that North Carolina teachers spend an average of over $900 annually out-of-pocket on supplies. Tools4Schools aims to alleviate this cost by providing free supplies to nearly 11,000 teachers in the district.
The program operates on a quarterly shopping basis. All educators and certified staff from WCPSS are invited to shop for free supplies, but they must sign up for an open time slot in advance; walk-ins are not accepted. During their scheduled visit, educators receive 100 points to spend on new and gently used classroom supplies.
The community can also support this initiative. Donations are accepted via check mailed to WakeEd Partnership at 1816 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604, with "Tools4Schools" noted in the memo line. Additionally, an Amazon Wish List is available where individuals can purchase items most requested by teachers and have them shipped directly to the Tools4Schools facility.
Teacher Discount Verification for Homeschool Educators
Homeschool parents in North Carolina who are considered "official" educators can access various discounts. Verification is a key step in this process.
Obtaining a Homeschool Verification Card
To receive educator discounts, homeschool parents must verify their status as an official North Carolina home educator. Once a Notice of Intent to Homeschool has been completed and submitted to the NCDNPE (North Carolina Department of Non-Public Education) with all required documentation, and confirmation of registration has been received, the parent is considered an official homeschooler.
A free verification card can be printed by logging onto the NCDNPE website. The process involves navigating to the "Home School Forms" section and selecting "Print a Homeschool Verification Record." After logging in with a username and password, the official registration record and verification card can be printed. This card can be reprinted annually as needed.
This verification card is recognized by various venues. For instance, it grants homeschool educators and students free admission to the North Carolina Aquariums and the Zoo.
Teacher Appreciation Week Deals and Discounts
During the national Teacher Appreciation Week, numerous businesses offer special promotions to show gratitude for educators. These deals typically require proof of teacher status, such as a valid school ID.
Food and Beverage Offers
Several food and beverage companies in North Carolina have announced deals for Teacher Appreciation Week, which falls in early May.
- The Salty: From May 5 to 12, 2025, teachers can receive a 15% in-store discount at The Salty (1515 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC) with proof of teacher status. This offer also extends to nurses for Nurse Appreciation Week.
- Staples: From May 4 to May 10, 2025, teachers can visit Staples in-store to receive 20% off their purchase with a valid teacher ID and a free 12-pack of Tru Red™ Stick Pens. These offers are valid in-store only while supplies last, with a limit of one per customer. Coupons are available in the Staples app, and exclusions apply.
- Topper’s Pizza: Located at 1225 Concord Parkway N, Concord, NC, Topper’s Pizza is offering teachers 50% off any regular-sized menu item from May 5 to 9, 2025. The code TEACHERSWEEK must be used for in-store or online orders.
- MeetFresh: Educators can receive 10% off all drinks and desserts at MeetFresh (4509 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC) from May 5 to 9, 2025, by showing a valid school ID.
- Chipotle: Chipotle is running a giveaway for teachers and healthcare professionals from April 30 through May 12, 2025. Teachers can enter on the teacherthanks.chipotle.com microsite for a chance to win a free entrée e-card. At the end of Teacher Appreciation Week, 100,000 teachers will be randomly selected to verify their employment status via ID.me. Those who verify within 48 hours will receive the e-card, with winners notified starting the week of May 13.
- McDonald's: All Wake and Johnston County educators, teachers, and support staff can get a free McCafe beverage or a drink of choice at specific McDonald's locations through Tuesday, May 12.
Technology and Retail Discounts
Beyond dining, technology and retail stores offer significant savings to educators.
- Apple: Apple provides Apple education pricing, which is approximately a 10% discount, on new Macs or iPads for college students, their parents, and faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels. To receive this discount in an Apple store, individuals must ask about it.
- Costco: Teachers who join Costco as a Gold Star member receive a free $20 Costco shop card. Those who sign up for an Executive membership receive a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card.
- Verizon: Verizon offers discounts on mobile or home internet plans to teachers. Eligibility must be confirmed on ID.me.
Other Potential Offers
While not specific to a single business, there is an expectation of additional deals during Teacher Appreciation Week. In previous years, deals have been available at businesses such as Firehouse Subs, Buffalo Wild Wings, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Zaxby’s, Tijuana Flats, Sonic Drive-In, Metro Diner, Insomnia Cookies, and Great Wolf Lodge. Educators are advised to check for new announcements as the date approaches.
Educational Resources and Support
In addition to tangible goods and discounts, North Carolina educators have access to a variety of free educational resources to support their teaching efforts.
PBS North Carolina Educator Resources
PBS North Carolina offers a comprehensive suite of resources for educators across various grade levels.
- Classroom Connection: This short-form learning series features PBS KIDS favorites and is aimed at pre-K through third-grade students. It delivers engaging math and literacy lessons developed by and featuring North Carolina teachers to support at-home learning.
- Grades 3–8: An eight-week planning kit is available, filled with lesson ideas, activities, and professional learning support. It is designed for use in virtual or in-person settings and for teachers whose students may not have an internet connection.
- Grades 4–12: A comprehensive collection of open educational resources (OERs) and lesson plans aligned to state and national standards is available. Most direct alignments are for the middle school level, with lessons also appropriate for high school.
- Grades 9–12: Resources are available that bring the Smithsonian’s power to contextualize contemporary issues into the classroom. These materials provide teachers with trusted content to help students make sense of the world and foster future-focused conversations. Specific topics include the diverse backgrounds of veterans and challenging stereotypes.
Conclusion
North Carolina teachers have access to a variety of freebies and discounts designed to support both their professional needs and personal appreciation. Key programs include the Tools4Schools store for free classroom supplies in Wake County and a formal verification process for homeschool educators to access state-level discounts. During Teacher Appreciation Week in early May, a wide range of businesses offer special deals, from food and beverage discounts to retail savings on technology and office supplies. Additionally, free educational resources from organizations like PBS North Carolina provide valuable lesson planning support. Educators are encouraged to have their school identification or official verification documents ready to take advantage of these opportunities.