Teacher Appreciation Week is an annual observance that recognizes educators for their contributions to students and communities. During this period, various retailers, restaurants, and service providers across North Carolina offer discounts, free items, and special promotions to verified teachers and school staff. The following information details specific offers available in the Charlotte area and broader North Carolina during recent and upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week events, as well as year-round educator discount programs.
Retail Discounts
Several retail chains provide percentage-based discounts on purchases made by teachers and school staff. These offers typically require proof of educator status, such as a valid school ID or badge.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Participating locations in North Carolina offer teachers and school staff a 10% discount on their entire purchase. This discount is available both in-store and online during Teacher Appreciation Week. The specific dates for this offer are from May 2 through May 6.
Staples Staples offers an in-store promotion for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Eligible educators can receive 20% off their in-store purchase by presenting a valid teacher ID. Additionally, a free 12-pack of Tru Red™ Stick Pens is available with the purchase. This offer is valid only in-store, while supplies last, and is limited to one per customer. Coupons for the discount are available within the Staples app. The offer is valid from May 4 to May 10, 2025.
Eyemart Express Teachers can present a valid ID, such as a school badge, to receive savings at all Eyemart Express stores across the country.
Lenovo Lenovo offers a sitewide discount for teachers and students. This discount excludes doorbusters and select clearance products.
Apple Apple provides Apple education pricing on new Macs and iPads to college students, their parents, and faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels. The discount is approximately 10%. Customers are advised to ask about the discount when visiting an Apple store.
Costco Teachers who join Costco as a Gold Star member receive a free $20 Costco shop card. Those who join as an Executive member receive a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card.
Samsung Samsung’s Education Offers Program allows teachers and educators to save up to 30% off on laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more when shopping on Samsung.com. During the month of May, additional discounts of up to $800 on select products may be available for educators.
Restaurant and Food Service Offers
Restaurants and food service providers frequently offer discounts or free items to teachers during the appreciation week. Verification of educator status is generally required.
Applebee’s Participating Applebee’s restaurants in North Carolina offer a 20% discount to teachers and school faculty during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Bruegger’s Bagels Teachers are eligible for a 20% discount on catering orders for breakfast or lunch from May 7 through May 11. The orders may be for pickup or delivery.
Buffalo Wild Wings Participating locations offer teachers and school staff a 20% discount on orders during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Topper’s Pizza Located in Concord, North Carolina, Topper’s Pizza offers teachers a 50% discount on any regular-sized menu item from May 5 to 9, 2025. The code TEACHERSWEEK must be used for in-store or online orders.
McAlister’s Deli Teachers who present an educator ID at participating locations from May 5 to 12, 2025, receive a free big tea. This offer is valid for dine-in and takeout orders only and requires showing a valid educator ID at checkout.
Salata Educators can enjoy 20% off their total order at Salata from May 5 to 9, 2025, by showing a valid ID at checkout.
Shipley Do-Nuts The Shipley Do-Nuts location in Concord, North Carolina, offers a free donut to teachers, first responders, active military, veterans, and nurses on May 8, 2025, during its grand opening event.
YiGE Asian Cuisine Located in Clayton, North Carolina, YiGE Asian Cuisine offers teachers a 10% discount on their meals from May 5 to 11, 2025. This offer is for dine-in only and requires a teacher ID.
MeetFresh Teachers receive a 10% discount on all drinks and desserts from May 5 to 9, 2025, at the Raleigh location when showing a valid school ID.
Pilot Brewing Pilot Brewing in Charlotte offers an ongoing special for teachers: 20% off their tab every Monday.
The Salty From May 5 to 12, 2025, teachers receive a 15% in-store discount at The Salty in Charlotte with proof of teacher status. This offer is also extended to nurses during Nurse Appreciation Week.
Service and Entertainment Discounts
Service providers and entertainment venues also participate in Teacher Appreciation Week by offering discounts on parking, travel, and admissions.
The Parking Spot The Parking Spot offers teachers a 10% discount on parking at Charlotte Douglas International Airport every day. In May 2025, teachers making a reservation for travel through the end of 2025 can receive a 25% discount.
Museum of Illusions Teachers receive free admission to the Museum of Illusions all year. During the week of May 5 to 9, 2025, visiting teachers are automatically entered into a raffle. Winners receive a goodie bag with classroom materials, and one teacher wins a field trip for their class to the museum (school responsible for transportation).
Verizon Verizon offers discounts on mobile or home internet plans to teachers. Eligibility must be confirmed on ID.me.
Food and Beverage Giveaways and Sweepstakes
Chipotle Chipotle hosts a sweepstakes for teachers and healthcare professionals for a chance to win a free entrée e-card. The entry period is from April 30 through May 12, 2025. At the end of the appreciation weeks, 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers are randomly selected to verify employment status via ID.me. Successful verification within 48 hours results in receiving a free entrée e-card. Winners are notified starting the week of May 13.
Homeschool Educator Discounts
Homeschool parents in North Carolina can access educator discounts from various stores and online providers. To qualify, homeschool parents must verify their status as "official" North Carolina Home Educators.
Verification Process To obtain verification, a parent must: 1. Complete the Notice of Intent to Homeschool. 2. Send the required documentation to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNPE). 3. Receive confirmation that the homeschool is registered in the state.
Once registered, the parent can print a free verification card by logging into the NCDNPE website. The specific steps are: 1. Login to the account using the username and password. 2. Navigate to the "Home School Forms" section on the main page for Home Schools. 3. Click on "Print a Homeschool Verification Record." 4. Manage the account or print the Official Registration Record & Verification Card.
This verification record confirms that the homeschool is listed with the state and can be re-printed annually.
Previously Reported Deals
Several sources indicate that in previous years, additional brands offered Teacher Appreciation deals. While specific dates for the current year may not be confirmed in the provided data, these brands have historically participated:
- BurgerFi
- Firehouse Subs
- Moe’s Southwest Grill
- Zaxby’s
- Tijuana Flats
- Metro Diner
- Insomnia Cookies
- Pizza Hut
- Great Wolf Lodge
- Sonic Drive-In
Conclusion
Teacher Appreciation Week in North Carolina provides a variety of opportunities for educators to receive discounts and free items from retail stores, restaurants, and service providers. Offers typically require verification of employment status through a school ID or official documentation. Homeschool educators in North Carolina can obtain a state-verified ID card to access similar discounts. Consumers are advised to check specific locations for participation and to bring valid identification when redeeming offers.