Educators across the United States spend an average of $745 of their own money on classroom supplies annually, a significant personal financial burden. In recognition of this dedication, numerous businesses, organizations, and brands offer freebies, discounts, and promotional programs specifically for teachers. These offers span from classroom materials and educational software to food deals and personal discounts, often tied to key periods like National Teacher Appreciation Week in May and World Teachers' Day in October. This guide compiles verified opportunities available to teachers in 2025, based on current offers and programs.
Verified Teacher Appreciation Deals and Discounts for May 2025
National Teacher Appreciation Week in 2025 falls from May 5 to May 9, with National Teacher Day on May 6. During this period, many restaurants and retailers offer special deals. Educators should always call ahead to confirm participation at local locations and have a valid teacher ID or school badge ready.
- Old Chicago: Teachers receive a free Starter when they join OC Rewards and complete their first visit. Additionally, through May 5, purchasing $50 worth of gift cards online yields two $10 bonus cards.
- Original ChopShop: Educators get a 10% discount on dine-in and carryout orders from May 5 to May 9 upon presenting a valid badge or ID.
- Peter Piper Pizza: Teachers can receive a free 7-inch, 1-topping personal pizza from May 5 to May 9, available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. This offer is valid at Arizona and Albuquerque locations with a school ID.
- Salata Salad Kitchen: Educators receive a 20% discount on their meal when showing a valid ID in-restaurant through May 9.
- Picazzo's: Teachers dining in from May 5 to May 9 will receive a $10 gift card for a return visit, while supplies last.
- The Parking Spot: Teachers already receive a 10% discount, but during the month of May, this increases to 25% off any reservation made for travel through the end of 2025.
- Petlibro: On May 6, teachers can get 20% off Petlibro devices, including automatic feeders and drinking fountains for cats and dogs, using the code TEACHERSPET.
- Museum of Illusions: Teachers can register with their work email during Teacher Appreciation Week for a chance to be one of three winners in a raffle for goodie bags.
Year-Round and Seasonal Teacher Programs
Several organizations offer free resources and materials throughout the year, not just during appreciation weeks.
- Hot Wheels Classroom Kit: Every September, Hot Wheels gives away free classroom kits to select certified educators. These kits are available for Kindergarten classes, 4th-grade classes, and STEM/STEAM educators and can include up to 40 cars and tracks along with pre-made lesson plans teaching physics concepts.
- Teaching Tolerance Free Films: Teaching Tolerance provides free film kits for use in K–12 schools, schools of education, public libraries, houses of worship, and youth-serving nonprofit organizations. Current movies include An Outrage, Viva La Causa, Starting Small, Selma Bridge to the Ballot, One Survivor Remembers, and Mighty Times The Children’s March.
- Six Flags Read to Succeed: This program encourages students in grades K through 6 to read. Students who complete six hours of recreational reading earn a free ticket to Six Flags. Teachers and schools can participate at no cost. The 2019-2020 program was noted to launch in October; educators should check for the 2025-2026 program schedule.
- Microsoft Software: Microsoft offers software like Office, Excel, and Minecraft for free to educators. A valid Office 365 account is required to sign up.
- Scholastic Magazine Free Trial: Scholastic offers a 30-day free trial for its educational magazines, such as My Big World, Let’s Find Out, Scholastic News, StoryWorks, DynaMath, SuperScience, and Scholastic Art. No credit card is required to place an order.
- Pass it On: This organization provides free posters and DVDs for schools or non-profit organizations. Requesters can receive three posters sent to them.
- Maplesoft: The company offers free math and engineering posters for classrooms.
- Kids Need to Read: This organization provides free books to children of all ages for schools where at least 50% of children live under the national poverty level.
- The Florida Aquarium Teacher Study Program: This program offers free teacher passes to qualifying K-12 grade classroom teachers, assistant principals, and principals actively teaching in a Florida public, private, or charter school.
- P&G School Programs: Teachers of health classes may be interested in a puberty and development kit for fifth, sixth, and seventh graders.
- VariQuest Kit: This company provides a sample kit with displays for the classroom for educators interested in using a variety of teaching methods.
- Wall Street Journal Tools: The Wall Street Journal offers a variety of teaching tools and downloads for teachers.
- Corriki: This platform offers thousands of free activities for classrooms through an online learning curriculum.
Free Math Resources and Online Opportunities
Educators seeking supplemental math materials or online income opportunities have several options listed.
- Free Math Facts Songs & Activities: A site provides 15 songs, 12 coloring pages, and 8 activity sheets, all focused on math, to assist students who may be struggling with the subject.
- Online Survey and Task Platforms: Several platforms are mentioned where individuals can earn money by testing games, using apps, taking surveys, or watching videos. These include:
- FreeCash: Offers payouts for testing games, using apps, and taking surveys, with instant cashouts and daily bonuses.
- Earn Haus: Pays up to $25 per survey, with same-day payment options via PayPal, Venmo, or check.
- KingOpinion: Reports that users can earn up to $210 per survey.
- Swagbucks: Has paid out over $900 million and offers a $10 sign-up bonus for watching videos, taking surveys, and more.
- HealthyWage: A platform where users can win cash by meeting weight loss goals, with payouts up to $10,000.
It is important to note that the information regarding these online platforms comes from a single source and should be verified by the user before participation. These platforms are not exclusive to teachers but are listed in the context of finding free stuff or supplemental income.
World Teachers' Day 2025
World Teachers' Day is observed on October 5. While not as widely celebrated in the U.S. as National Teacher Appreciation Week in May, many businesses offer special deals. For 2025, World Teachers' Day falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may extend their deals through Monday, October 6. Educators are advised to check with local businesses and national retailers in early October for potential discounts and freebies.
Important Considerations for Teachers
When seeking freebies and discounts, educators should keep the following points in mind:
- Verification: Always verify deals directly with the business, as participation can vary by location and offers may change. The source material emphasizes that businesses are often terrible at advertising their teacher discounts, making direct confirmation crucial.
- Documentation: Most deals require a valid teacher ID or school badge. Some programs, like the Florida Aquarium Teacher Study Program, have specific eligibility requirements (e.g., teaching in a Florida public, private, or charter school).
- Timing: Many offers are time-sensitive, particularly those tied to Teacher Appreciation Week in May or World Teachers' Day in October. Marking these dates can help in planning.
- Resource Types: Freebies range from physical classroom supplies (e.g., Hot Wheels kits, posters) to digital resources (e.g., Microsoft software, lesson plans) and personal discounts (e.g., food, travel).
- Costs: While many resources are free, some programs, like the Six Flags Read to Succeed, require student participation and reading completion to earn a reward.
Conclusion
Teachers in 2025 have access to a wide array of freebies, discounts, and educational resources from various businesses and organizations. Key opportunities are concentrated during National Teacher Appreciation Week in May and World Teachers' Day in October, but year-round programs for classroom materials, software, and books are also available. Success in securing these benefits relies on proactively researching offers, verifying details with providers, and having the necessary documentation, such as a valid teacher ID, readily available. By leveraging these verified programs, educators can reduce personal spending on classroom supplies and access valuable tools for their students.