Comprehensive Guide to Teacher Appreciation Week 2017 Freebies and Discounts

Teacher Appreciation Week in 2017 spanned two weeks in May, with many businesses across the United States offering freebies, discounts, and special promotions to honor educators. These offers primarily targeted K-12 teachers, faculty, and staff, requiring valid school identification for redemption. The promotions varied in duration, with some lasting a single day and others extending throughout the week or available year-round. Participating categories included restaurants, retailers, and educational services, focusing on food, apparel, books, and classroom resources. Eligibility generally required proof of educator status, and many deals were location-specific, prompting consumers to verify participation with local stores. Below is a detailed overview of the verified freebies and discounts available during this period, based on compiled reports from local news outlets and deal aggregators.

Food and Beverage Freebies

Restaurants and food chains played a significant role in Teacher Appreciation Week 2017, offering free meals or discounted items to educators. These promotions often required a valid school ID and were valid on specific dates. For instance, Chipotle provided a buy-one-get-one-free deal on burritos, bowls, salads, or tacos on May 2, available from 3 p.m. until closing. This offer was extended to teachers, faculty, and staff, with ID required, and was noted as in-restaurant only in some reports.

Chick-fil-A also participated with free menu items on May 2. Depending on the location and time of day, educators could receive a free Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Mini (3-count) or a chicken biscuit from 6:00-10:30 a.m., or a free chicken sandwich from 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Some sources specified the window as 11 a.m.-7 p.m., highlighting the need to check local store details. ID was mandatory for this deal.

Other food-related offers included Jimmy John's $1 subs on a Tuesday between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (excluding delivery), though this was not exclusively for teachers. World of Beer offered a free Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider or Samuel Adams on May 9 with ID, or a $5 discount on the check. Food Lion provided a 5% MVP discount on total purchases on May 2. PDQ extended a 50% off deal for teachers and nurses on May 9 with valid ID.

Local food freebies were also available in specific regions. Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, Arizona, offered a voucher for a free pizza (any size, limitless toppings) for dine-in only from May 1-5 for K-12 teachers. Harkins Theatres provided free medium popcorn with a movie ticket purchase during the week. In the Valley area, surprises like free coffee and donuts were planned for teachers and schools.

Year-round food deals included Which Which's free cookie with sandwich purchase for Vibe Club Rewards members, valid May 1-5 in some reports, but potentially ongoing. These offers underscore the emphasis on rewarding educators with accessible, everyday perks.

Retail and Apparel Discounts

Clothing retailers offered substantial discounts to teachers during the appreciation period, often requiring in-store presentation of ID. Banana Republic provided 15% off full-priced purchases for teachers and students, valid in U.S. and Canada stores. This discount was noted as available year-round in some sources, but specifically highlighted during the week.

Old Navy allowed teachers to take 20% off their total purchase during Teacher Appreciation Week, with verification needed at participating locations. J. Crew and LOFT both offered 15% off full-price purchases in stores with valid ID. The Limited extended a 15% discount on purchases, in-store only. New York & Company provided 30% off for teachers and nurses through May 3.

Aerosoles gave 15% off footwear items priced $39.99 or higher, redeemable in-store with teacher ID or pay-stub. Banana Republic's offer was reiterated across multiple sources as 15% off for teachers and students, emphasizing the need for valid identification.

Additional apparel deals included Hanes' 10% off purchases on Hanes.com, Champion.com, OneHanesPlace.com, and JustMySize.com, available year-round. These discounts were positioned as ways to help educators save on professional attire and classroom essentials.

Books and Educational Resources

Bookstores and educational suppliers provided discounts to support teachers' classroom needs. Barnes & Noble was a prominent participant, offering 20% off the publisher's list price on all purchases for classroom use year-round with the Educator Program. During Educator Appreciation Days, this discount increased to 25% off. Teachers could also join the program to receive email offers and access special events.

The Scholastic Store allowed educators to download 100 free printable resources and five free posters for classrooms during Teacher Appreciation Week. This digital offer required no physical ID but was tied to educator status.

Apple's Store for Education provided savings of up to $200 on new Macs and up to $30 on new iPads. Eligibility extended to college students, parents buying for students, faculty, homeschool teachers, and staff at all grade levels. This was not limited to K-12 teachers but included a broader educational community.

New York Times offered a four-week trial subscription for $0.99, followed by 50% off the normal rate, targeting educators seeking current events resources.

Hooked on Phonics provided preschool and elementary teachers with a one-year subscription to the digital Learn to Read program, a valuable tool for early education.

General Discounts and Services

Beyond specific categories, some businesses offered broader discounts. CorePower Yoga provided discounts for teachers and students, though details were limited to availability at participating locations.

A.C. Moore gave teachers 15% off their entire purchase, including sale items, during the week.

Michael's offered a coupon for 15% off a purchase, redeemable by teachers.

These general offers often required in-store verification and were subject to local participation.

Eligibility and Redemption Guidelines

Eligibility for most Teacher Appreciation Week 2017 freebies and discounts required valid school identification, such as a teacher ID or pay-stub. Some promotions, like those at Apple, expanded eligibility to include homeschool teachers and educational staff. Substitute teachers were noted as potentially eligible in some reports, with Source4Teachers Employee IDs accepted by certain businesses.

Redemption processes varied: many deals were in-store only, with no online or delivery options. For example, Chipotle's offer was restricted to restaurant visits, and Jimmy John's $1 subs excluded delivery. Consumers were advised to call ahead or check local store circulars, social media, and news coverage to confirm participation, as not all locations honored the promotions.

Promotions ranged from one-day events (e.g., May 2 for Chipotle and Chick-fil-A) to full-week or year-round deals. Some offers, like PDQ's 50% off, targeted specific professions beyond teachers, such as nurses.

Regional Variations and Local Offers

While national chains provided widespread availability, many deals were localized. In Georgia, retailers like Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble, and Chipotle offered specific promotions during May 8-12. In Michigan (Detroit area), similar deals were reported with emphasis on checking local stores. Arizona's Organ Stop Pizza and Harkins Theatres provided regional freebies.

Consumers in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia could access deals through The Scholastic Store. Houston-area reports highlighted Apple education pricing and Chick-fil-A's extended hours.

These variations underscored the importance of verifying offers based on location, as participation was not universal.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week 2017 offered a diverse array of freebies and discounts, from free burritos at Chipotle to 20% off books at Barnes & Noble, designed to recognize the contributions of educators. The majority required valid school ID and were available at participating locations, with dates ranging from single-day events to year-round benefits. Key themes included food rewards, apparel savings, and educational resource support, all tailored to U.S. teachers, faculty, and staff. For the most accurate details, educators should consult local stores, official brand websites, and verified deal compilations, as offers were subject to change and regional availability. These promotions highlight ongoing efforts by businesses to appreciate teachers beyond the designated week.