National Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 runs from Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9, with National Teacher Day falling on Tuesday, May 6. This annual observance, established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1985, provides an opportunity for businesses to offer discounts and freebies to educators. In Chicago and nationwide, retailers, restaurants, and service providers participate by offering special promotions. Most offers require verification of educator status, typically through a valid school ID, an official email address, or enrollment in specific corporate reward programs. Offers and participation can vary by location, and many deals are time-sensitive.
Restaurant and Food Freebies
Several national and regional restaurant chains offer free meals or discounts during Teacher Appreciation Week. These offers generally apply to in-store dining and require proof of employment as an educator.
Chipotle Chipotle offers a buy-one-get-one free entrée deal for teachers, faculty, and school staff. This offer is valid on National Teacher Day (May 6) from 3:00 p.m. until close. A valid school ID is required. Additionally, Chipotle is randomly selecting up to 100,000 teachers who sign up online to receive a free entrée.
Chick-fil-A Participating Chick-fil-A locations offer deals for teachers, though there is no nationwide promotion. Some locations offer deals specifically on Tuesday, May 6, while others celebrate for the entire week. Educators should call their local location or check the specific restaurant’s Facebook page for details. A valid school ID is required.
McDonald’s Participating McDonald’s locations are offering a 20% discount off the entire check for teachers on May 6.
Other Restaurant Deals * Buffalo Wild Wings: Dine-in offer for a free 5-piece order of boneless wings with fries on May 6. * Arby’s: Select locations are providing teachers and school administrators with a free sandwich on Tuesday, May 6. * Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: Teachers dining in from Monday through Friday can receive a free appetizer with the purchase of an adult entrée. No coupon is required. * Logan’s Roadhouse: Teachers receive 20% off an entrée from May 5 through May 12 with a valid ID. * Einstein Bros. Bagels: Offers 20% off all gift card purchases online through June 24. * Whataburger: Mentioned as a participant in 2025 celebrations, though specific deal details were not provided in the source data.
Retail and Technology Discounts
Chicago-area teachers have access to significant savings on technology and classroom supplies through various retailer programs.
Adobe Verified educators signing up for the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan can receive up to 60% off.
Apple The Apple Education Store provides exclusive discounts for verified educators on new Macs, iPads, and other technology.
Bose Educators who verify their status can receive $30 off purchases of $199 or more, excluding aviation headsets.
Crayola Crayola offers a 20% discount on products featured on its Teacher Gift Ideas page online. The brand also provides free teacher-approved resources through its Create and Play app.
Office Depot/Office Max Both stores offer teachers 25% back in bonus rewards on qualifying purchases. This offer is valid in-store only through June 29 and requires a valid teacher ID.
DoodleFace Crayon Boards
Available on Amazon from May 5 through May 9, DoodleFace Crayon Boards are offered at 20% off with the code 20LOVETEACH. These are reusable, mess-free boards designed for classroom use.
Samsung Samsung is listed as a participant in Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, offering discounts and promotions, though specific percentage savings are not detailed in the provided data.
Home, Lifestyle, and Service Offers
Beyond food and tech, various service providers and lifestyle brands offer discounts to educators.
Home Chef The meal kit delivery service offers teachers 50% off their first box and 10% off each additional box order.
Bare Minerals Teachers receive a 20% off sitewide discount on beauty and skincare products.
Crocs Educators receive an exclusive 15% discount with required verification.
Budget Truck Rental
Teachers moving locally or one-way can use the code TEACH at checkout to receive 20% off local moves and 15% off one-way moves.
Avis Car Rental
Chicago Teachers Union members save up to 35% off Pay Now rates and up to 25% off Base Rates using discount code AWD#: D134161. Members can also register for Avis Preferred for free to have the discount automatically applied to future rentals.
Stitch Fix Stitch Fix is noted as a participant in Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, though specific offer details are not provided in the source material.
Membership and Union Perks
TeacherPerks.com Chicago Teachers Union members have access to TeacherPerks.com, which connects them to over 200 national retailers offering private offers and discounts. Participating retailers include Sam’s Club, Costco, Apple Education Store, Hotels.com, Chase Home Lending, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Microsoft Education Discount, Walt Disney World, Six Flags, HP, Dell, and Lenovo.
Savings on Supplies In addition to specific brand discounts, general savings opportunities include up to 60% off on classroom supplies and software, as noted in broader 2025 campaign materials.
Verification and Eligibility Requirements
To access these offers, educators generally need to provide proof of status. Common methods include: * School ID: Required for most restaurant deals and in-store retail offers. * Email Verification: Used for signing up for online programs or verifying educator status for tech discounts (e.g., Adobe, Apple). * Union Membership: Required for specific perks like those on TeacherPerks.com or Avis rental discounts. * Promo Codes: Required for online purchases (e.g., DoodleFace, Budget Truck Rental).
Conclusion
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 offers a variety of freebies and discounts for educators in Chicago and across the United States. From free meals at restaurants like Chipotle and Chick-fil-A to substantial discounts on technology from Apple and Adobe, the week provides tangible benefits for teachers. To ensure access to these offers, educators should prepare valid school IDs, verify their status through official channels, and check with local participating locations for specific deal details and availability.