National Teacher Appreciation Day 2018 Freebies and Deals for Educators in Atlanta

National Teacher Appreciation Day in 2018 was observed on May 8th, serving as a dedicated time for various businesses to extend gratitude to educators through complimentary offers and discounts. The available documentation highlights a range of participating brands, primarily focusing on food and beverage establishments, as well as educational supply initiatives. These offers generally required verification of educator status, often through the presentation of a valid school or faculty identification card. While many of the deals were national in scope, specific participation and hours could vary by location, particularly with franchise-owned businesses.

Participating brands included major fast-food chains such as Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Raising Cane’s, and Cici’s Pizza, alongside retailers like Michaels and educational platforms like Crayola Experience and Intuit QuickBooks. The nature of the offers ranged from free menu items and buy-one-get-one deals to discounts on supplies and free admission to family attractions. It was emphasized by sources that consumers should verify participation with local outlets prior to visiting, as franchise decisions often dictated local availability.

Food and Beverage Freebies

A significant portion of the available freebies for National Teacher Appreciation Day 2018 centered on food and dining establishments. The offers generally required educators to present a valid school or faculty ID to redeem the deals.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A was a prominent participant, offering free chicken sandwiches to teachers, educators, and administrators at select locations. The offer was valid on May 8th, 2018, typically between 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM, though specific hours could vary by location. Because Chick-fil-A locations are often independently owned and operated franchises, the promotion was not guaranteed at every restaurant. Sources advised customers to call their local Chick-fil-A ahead of time to confirm participation. Verified participation was noted in locations across Atlanta, North Carolina, and Delaware.

Chipotle

Chipotle offered a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) free deal on burritos, burrito bowls, salads, and tacos for teachers, faculty members, and school staff. This offer was valid only on May 8th, 2018, between 3:00 PM and closing time. A faculty ID was required to redeem the offer. This deal was reported as a national offering from the chain.

Raising Cane’s

Raising Cane’s provided teachers with a free Box Combo on May 8th, 2018. The documentation indicates that this was a specific offer for educators, though details regarding specific hours or ID requirements were limited in the provided text.

Cici’s Pizza

Cici’s Pizza offered a free pizza buffet on May 8th, 2018. This offer was available at participating locations with the presentation of a valid school ID.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Potbelly Sandwich Shop offered a complimentary fountain drink or cookie to accompany any sandwich or salad purchased by teachers on May 8th, 2018.

Mod Pizza

Mod Pizza offered teachers 50 percent off a pizza or salad on May 8th, 2018. This required the presentation of a teacher ID.

Einstein’s Bagels

Einstein’s Bagels provided a 20 percent discount on any purchase for teachers during the appreciation week. To redeem this, a specific promo code, 9053, was required.

Giordano’s

Giordano’s extended a 20 percent discount on online orders to members of their email club on May 8th, 2018. This offer was available to both new and existing members who signed up at the brand’s website.

Retail and Educational Offers

In addition to dining deals, several retailers and educational companies offered free products, admission, or learning materials to educators.

Crayola Experience

The Crayola Experience offered free admission to teachers every day. Furthermore, teachers’ families received a 25 percent discount on general admission, valid through May 31, 2018.

Michaels

Michaels hosted an event on May 8th, 2018, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM where customers could create cards for their teachers.

Intuit QuickBooks

Intuit offered educators free online materials through the Intuit Education Program.

Costco

Costco offered a promotion for Teacher Appreciation Day where signing up for a new membership on May 8th, 2018, would yield over $60 in savings.

Educational Support and Grant Programs

Beyond immediate freebies, the documentation references broader initiatives aimed at supporting teachers and students. The National Education Association (NEA) utilized Teacher Appreciation Week to transition appreciation into action, focusing on protecting students, strengthening public schools, and ensuring educators are treated with respect. Their efforts involved social media campaigns and lobbying efforts directed at government representatives.

Additionally, organizations such as AdoptAClassroom.org were mentioned in the context of helping teachers acquire school supplies. Specific news items referenced donations to schools, such as a $75,000 grant announced by a Rochester school alum and a partnership involving actor Taye Diggs, Burlington Stores, and AdoptAClassroom.org to support teachers and students nationwide. Other brands, such as Sketchers and Bobo’s, were also noted for supporting schools and teachers through funds, awareness campaigns, and donations of specialty products.

Important Considerations for Educators

When seeking to utilize these types of offers, several factors should be considered:

Verification: Almost all food and beverage offers required a valid school or faculty ID. Educators should ensure they have the appropriate identification with them.
Location Specifics: Franchise-owned businesses, such as Chick-fil-A, determine their own participation in national promotions. The documentation explicitly warns that not all locations participate, and calling ahead is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
Timing: Most offers were strictly limited to May 8th, 2018, or specific hours within that day (e.g., Chipotle after 3 PM). Some retailers, like Barnes & Noble or Einstein’s Bagels, extended their discounts over the course of the week.
Registration: Some offers, such as the Giordano’s discount or the Costco membership deal, required prior registration or sign-up for email clubs or new memberships.

Conclusion

National Teacher Appreciation Day 2018 provided a wide array of opportunities for educators to receive free meals, discounts on food and supplies, and free admission to educational attractions. The primary participating brands included Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Raising Cane’s, Cici’s Pizza, Potbelly, Mod Pizza, Einstein’s Bagels, Giordano’s, Crayola Experience, and Michaels. While many of these offers were national, the reliance on franchise participation and specific location policies necessitated verification by the educator prior to visiting. Beyond these immediate freebies, broader support systems such as AdoptAClassroom.org and the NEA continued to advocate for and provide resources to the teaching community throughout the year.