Teacher Appreciation Week 2023 Freebies and Deals for Educators

National Teacher Appreciation Week 2023 provided a wide array of free items, discounts, and special offers for educators across the United States. Spanning from Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 12, the week-long celebration allowed teachers, administrators, and other education professionals to access complimentary meals, classroom supplies, and personal treats from various businesses. Companies ranging from fast-food chains and casual dining restaurants to retail stores and service providers participated by offering exclusive perks to verified educators.

The scope of available offers during this period was extensive, requiring many participants to plan their week to maximize the benefits. Deals were distributed across different days and locations, with specific requirements such as valid identification or proof of employment. While some promotions extended throughout the entire week, others were limited to single days or specific timeframes. The following guide details the verified freebies and discounts available during Teacher Appreciation Week 2023, based on published reports and official announcements.

Verified Restaurant and Food Offers

Several food service establishments provided complimentary items to teachers during the 2023 observance. These offers generally required the presentation of a valid school identification badge or educator credentials.

Zaxby’s Zaxby’s participated in the 2023 celebration, although specific details regarding the nature of the offer were not fully elaborated in the source documentation. The chain’s participation occurred during the week that overlapped with National Nurses Week 2023.

Freddy’s Freddy’s offered a free mini sundae with M&Ms from May 8 through May 12, 2023. This promotion did not require a purchase, but a valid identification was required to redeem the offer.

Firehouse Subs Participating Firehouse Subs locations offered a free medium sub with the purchase of a medium or large sub, chips, and a drink. This deal was valid on May 6 and May 7, 2023, which occurred immediately prior to the official start of the national week. A valid educator ID was required for redemption.

McAlister’s Deli McAlister’s Deli provided a free 32-ounce tea to educators through May 10, 2023. This offer required a valid medical or educator ID at participating locations. The tea was available for both dine-in and takeout orders placed in person, and no purchase was necessary.

Whataburger Whataburger offered educators a free breakfast item during the 2023 Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers could present their school ID between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. from May 6 through May 10 to receive a free taquito, Breakfast on a Bun, or honey butter chicken biscuit. The promotion also included a "Whatateacher" table tent while supplies lasted.

Chick-fil-A Chick-fil-A participated in the celebrations on Tuesday, May 7, 2023 (Teacher Appreciation Day). Participating locations offered educators a free chicken biscuit or chicken sandwich upon presentation of a valid professional ID or badge.

Sonic Sonic encouraged educators to sign up for "Teachers Circle" through the Sonic app. While this specific signup occurred during the appreciation period, the program is designed to provide rewards year-round rather than a specific one-time freebie during the week.

Retail and Supply Discounts

In addition to food offers, various retailers provided discounts on classroom supplies, professional attire, and personal items.

Half Price Books Half Price Books offered an Educator Discount Card that provided 10% off purchases year-round. This discount was promoted during the Teacher Appreciation Week period for educators looking to restock supplies or purchase summer reading materials.

JOANN JOANN offered teacher rewards that included a 15% savings every day on purchases. This discount was available to educators during the 2023 appreciation period and throughout the year.

Michaels Michaels provided a 15% discount on both in-store and online purchases year-round. To access this offer, educators were required to verify their educator ID online through the Michaels Rewards program.

Target Target promoted savings on classroom essentials through the Target Circle program. While specific percentage discounts were not detailed in the source data, the retailer was noted as a destination for classroom supply savings.

Dockers Dockers offered a 25% discount on apparel during this period. This offer was likely intended to help educators refresh their professional wardrobe for the end of the school year or upcoming summer months.

General Availability and Redemption Requirements

The availability of Teacher Appreciation Week freebies in 2023 varied significantly by location and timing. Many of the published deals were specifically noted as being available only at participating locations, meaning that not all franchises or stores within a chain honored the promotions.

Identification Requirements Almost all food and retail offers required some form of verification. The most common requirement was a valid school ID badge or a professional educator identification card. Some offers specifically required the ID to be presented in person at the time of ordering or purchase.

Timing Constraints Offers were scattered across the week, with some starting as early as May 6 and others running through May 12. Specific "Teacher Appreciation Day" deals were concentrated on Tuesday, May 2, and Tuesday, May 7, depending on the specific retailer or restaurant chain. Educators were advised to check specific store policies before visiting, as regional variations in participation were common.

Purchase Necessities Most food offers were structured as "no purchase necessary" free items, such as the Freddy’s sundae or McAlister’s tea. However, some deals, such as the Firehouse Subs offer, required the purchase of a combo meal to receive the free sub. Retail discounts generally applied to purchases made during the promotional period.

Historical Context of the Celebration

The 2023 Teacher Appreciation Week served as part of a long-standing tradition of recognizing educators. The National Education Association (NEA) played a significant role in promoting the week, emphasizing the need to transform appreciation into action that protects students and strengthens public schools.

Polling data referenced during the 2023 period indicated that parents generally held teachers in high regard, with 73% of respondents rating their children's teachers as excellent or good according to Gallup polling from 2023. However, teacher sentiment regarding their working conditions was also noted, with surveys indicating that a significant percentage of educators found their jobs frequently stressful or overwhelming.

Eleanor Roosevelt was credited with playing a key role in establishing National Teachers Day in 1953, which eventually expanded into the week-long celebration observed in May. The 2023 celebrations continued this tradition, offering tangible benefits to educators in the form of free food and merchandise.

Geographic and Regional Considerations

While many offers were national in scope, some were limited to specific regions. For example, the Chick-fil-A offer mentioned in 2025 documentation (which often reflects ongoing patterns of participation) was specifically noted for the Greater Triangle area in North Carolina. Educators in other regions should not assume identical offers apply to their local locations without verification.

Participating businesses included a mix of national chains and regional favorites. The diversity of participating companies—from fast food to casual dining and craft stores—ensured that educators with different preferences could find suitable offers.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week 2023 offered a diverse selection of freebies and discounts for educators across the United States. The primary participants included restaurant chains such as Freddy’s, Firehouse Subs, McAlister’s Deli, Whataburger, and Chick-fil-A, all of which provided complimentary food items to verified educators. Retailers like Half Price Books, JOANN, and Michaels supplemented these offers with year-round discounts on supplies and apparel. The majority of these deals required valid educator identification and were subject to participation limitations at specific locations. Educators looking to maximize these benefits should plan their visits according to specific offer dates and ensure they have proper identification available.