2017 Teacher Appreciation Freebies and Discounts in Florida: A Guide to Restaurant Deals, Retail Offers, and Local Participating Venues

Teacher Appreciation Week in 2017 provided a significant opportunity for educators across the United States, particularly in Florida, to receive recognition through various freebies and discounts from national and local businesses. The period was characterized by a wide array of offers ranging from complimentary meals at popular restaurant chains to substantial discounts on educational supplies, clothing, and travel. For teachers in Florida, specific venues and regional programs offered unique benefits that aligned with the national celebration occurring in early May.

Overview of National and Regional Offers

The scope of Teacher Appreciation Week in 2017 extended beyond simple discounts, encompassing "buy one, get one free" deals, free entrees, and percentage-based savings on essential classroom materials. Businesses utilized the week to drive foot traffic and express gratitude to the education community. While many offers were standardized by national chains, participation often varied by franchise and location, necessitating that educators verify details with local branches.

National Restaurant Chains and Food Offers

Several major food and beverage companies participated in the 2017 celebrations, offering specific deals valid on designated days, primarily May 2 through May 9.

Chipotle Mexican Grill: Chipotle offered a prominent deal on May 2, 2017, allowing teachers to receive a free burrito, bowl, salad, or taco when they purchased a comparable item. This "buy one, get one free" offer was valid in-restaurant only and required the presentation of a valid school ID. The deal was limited to one per person.
Chick-fil-A: Participation by Chick-fil-A varied by location, as individual franchises make decisions regarding local promotions. In 2017, many locations offered free sandwiches on May 2. Some reports indicated a free Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich or Chick-n-Mini’s (3-count) on May 2 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. for those with valid ID. Other reports cited a free sandwich offer on May 7.
Jimmy John’s: While not exclusively for teachers, Jimmy John’s ran a promotion on a Tuesday in May (specifically noted as May 2 in some reports) offering $1 subs between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. This offer was valid for in-store purchases and excluded delivery.
World of Beer: On May 9, teachers could present a school ID to receive a free Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider or Samuel Adams beer. Alternatively, the venue offered $5 off the total check.
McAlister’s Deli: From May 6 to May 10, McAlister’s Deli provided teachers with a free cup of tea with the purchase of an entree.
MOD Pizza: On May 7, MOD Pizza offered a buy one, get one free deal on pizzas and salads.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers: On May 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Raising Cane’s offered a free box combo to teachers and school faculty.
Cici’s Pizza: Teachers presenting a specific coupon on May 7 received one free visit to the Cici’s pizza buffet.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: From May 6 to May 10, teachers could get a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree.

Retail and Educational Supply Discounts

Beyond dining, retailers offered substantial savings on items teachers frequently purchase for their classrooms and personal wardrobes.

Barnes & Noble: A major destination for books, Barnes & Noble offered educators 20 percent off the publisher’s price for books purchased for classroom use. Additionally, they provided 25 percent off the publisher’s price during specific "Educator Appreciation" days.
Staples: During the appreciation period, Staples offered teachers a free set of Tru Red Stick Pens when shopping in stores (valid until May 10). Furthermore, educators could receive 20 percent off in-store purchases by showing a valid teacher ID.
Old Navy: Clothing retailer Old Navy extended a 20 percent discount on total purchases during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Ann Taylor LOFT: Teachers were eligible to receive 15 percent off all full-priced items by signing up for the "LOFT Loves Teachers" program.
Banana Republic: Educators could show a valid ID to receive 15 percent off full-priced in-store purchases.

Florida-Specific Participating Venues

Florida teachers had access to several unique attractions and venues that participated in the 2017 celebrations, offering educational and recreational discounts.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Located on the Space Coast, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex historically offers discounted admission to educators. While specific 2017 details confirm participation in "Teacher Appreciation" lists, the venue is known for providing free admission to active and retired educators with valid identification, often extending benefits to Florida teachers specifically.
Crayola Experience: Located in Orlando, the Crayola Experience offered free admission to teachers during the appreciation period, allowing educators to explore the attraction without cost upon presentation of valid school ID.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort: This resort offered special rates for teachers during the appreciation week, providing a discount on room bookings for educators visiting the Orlando area.
Adventureland: Located in Des Moines, Iowa (noted in source data), but also relevant to Florida lists is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Universal Studios Orlando, though specific 2017 freebies for these parks were not explicitly detailed in the provided text. However, the "Florida" section of the source data specifically mentions the Kennedy Space Center and Crayola Experience as participating venues.

Eligibility and Redemption Rules

To successfully redeem these offers, teachers generally needed to adhere to strict verification protocols.

Identification: The most common requirement was a valid school ID card. This served as proof of employment at an educational institution.
Participation Variance: For franchises like Chick-fil-A and Old Navy, individual location participation was not guaranteed. The source data explicitly advises checking with local stores to confirm they are honoring the national promotion.
Geographic Restrictions: While many offers were national, specific events (such as the Des Moines teachers' deals at Adventureland) indicated that some promotions were region-locked. Florida teachers were encouraged to look for venues explicitly listing "Florida" or their specific city in promotional materials.
Timing: Most offers were strictly time-bound, typically valid only on National Teacher Day (May 8) or specific days within the first two weeks of May. For example, Chipotle’s 2017 offer was valid only on May 2, while World of Beer’s offer was valid on May 9.

Conclusion

The 2017 Teacher Appreciation Week provided a robust lineup of freebies and discounts for educators, with a strong presence in Florida through venues like the Kennedy Space Center and Crayola Experience. National chains such as Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, and Barnes & Noble offered significant value through meal deals and supply discounts. However, due to the decentralized nature of franchise operations and regional variations, educators were advised to verify offer details with local businesses prior to visiting. The combination of food, retail, and entertainment offers underscored a national commitment to recognizing the contributions of teachers.