Teacher Appreciation Week 2018 Freebies and Discounts in Arizona

Teacher Appreciation Week in 2018, observed from May 6 through May 11, provided a variety of complimentary offers and discounts for educators across Arizona. Businesses and organizations in the state participated in the national observance by offering incentives ranging from free meals and entertainment to year-round price reductions. These promotions required educators to present valid identification to verify their status as active teachers or school staff. The availability of these offers varied by location, date, and specific terms set by the participating vendors.

The following guide details the specific freebies and discounts available during the 2018 Teacher Appreciation Week in Arizona, based on contemporary reports and announcements.

Food and Beverage Discounts

Several restaurant chains and local eateries in Arizona offered special deals for teachers during the appreciation week. These promotions primarily focused on complimentary food items or percentage-based discounts on purchases.

National Chains and Local Franchises

Chipotle participated in the 2018 Teacher Appreciation Week with a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) free offer. This deal was valid on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, from 3:00 p.m. until closing. The promotion applied to burritos, bowls, salads, and orders of tacos. To redeem the offer, teachers, faculty, and staff were required to show a valid school ID, and the transaction had to take place in-restaurant.

Chick-fil-A offered a free Original Chick-fil-A sandwich to teachers at a specific location in Tucson. This offer was valid on May 8, 2018, at the Chick-fil-A located at 6675 E. Grant Rd. Reports indicated that while this location provided a free sandwich, other Chick-fil-A and McDonald's locations in Arizona might have offered different deals, though specific details for other locations were not confirmed.

Sauce, a restaurant group in Arizona, provided a 15% discount to teachers. This offer was valid from May 6 through May 12, 2018, and was applicable at all Sauce locations within the state.

Local Arizona Establishments

Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa offered a freebie specifically for teachers. Through Friday of the appreciation week, teachers showing their ID received a voucher for a free pizza of any size and with any toppings. This offer was for dine-in only, though the voucher could be used at any time after issuance.

Peter Piper Pizza provided teachers with a free 7-inch, one-topping pizza. Specific dates for this offer were tied to the general appreciation week timeframe.

El Charro Cafe participated in the appreciation efforts with a Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) meal offer. This deal was available every Tuesday, which would have included Tuesday, May 8, 2018, during the appreciation week. Additionally, other year-round deals were available through the Tucson Values Teachers program.

El Guero Canelo offered teachers a 10% discount on their orders. This discount was not limited to the appreciation week but was available all year long at locations in Tucson, provided a valid ID was presented.

Entertainment and Activity Offers

Beyond dining, several entertainment venues in Arizona extended special pricing or complimentary access to educators during the 2018 appreciation week.

SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego offered a significant promotion for teachers in California and Arizona. Active and certified K-12 school teachers in these states were eligible for a complimentary Teacher Fun Card, which allowed unlimited visits for the remainder of the 2018 season. Additionally, the offer included two free Single Day tickets. To obtain the Fun Card, teachers had to register online by May 18, 2018, and redeem the offer at the park by July 31, 2018.

Cinemas and Bowling

The Loft Cinema in Tucson offered a discounted Teacher Membership during the appreciation week, from May 7 to May 11, 2018. Educators could purchase a $40 Teacher Membership, representing a $10 discount off the regular price. This offer required the presentation of a current picture ID at the box office; memberships could not be purchased online or via mail. The cinema also noted a standard teacher/student rate of $7.50 was available at other times.

Uptown Alley in Surprise provided discounts to school district employees throughout the appreciation week (May 7–11). Employees received 50% off bowling and games, as well as 20% off food and soft drinks. A valid school ID was required to access these discounts.

Half Moon Sports Grill offered a 25% discount to teachers throughout the week, requiring the presentation of a valid teacher ID.

Year-Round Educator Discounts

Some businesses in Arizona extended their appreciation beyond the specific week, offering permanent discounts for teachers and educational staff.

Retail and Bookstores

Bookmans, a used bookstore chain in Arizona, offered a 20% discount for teachers on all purchases. This discount was available year-round at all Bookmans locations in the state.

Dining

El Guero Canelo and El Charro Cafe maintained year-round benefits for educators. El Guero Canelo provided a consistent 10% discount with valid ID, while El Charro Cafe offered BOGO meals every Tuesday throughout the year.

Community Events and Private Initiatives

Community organizations and private individuals also contributed to the recognition of teachers during the 2018 appreciation period.

Tucson Values Teachers Events

The organization Tucson Values Teachers hosted a Teacher Appreciation Happy Hour at Culinary Dropout on May 7, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event took place at the location on E Grant Rd in Tucson.

On May 8, 2018, the organization hosted a second happy hour at Maynards Market & Kitchen in Tucson. This event featured drink specials, food (including pizza and hummus), and a takeover of the taps by Sentinel Peak Brewing Company. The event also included raffles, games, and photo opportunities with a firetruck.

Private Initiatives

In a separate initiative reported in Arizona, a private individual purchased Blue Bunny ice cream cones and sandwiches to stock the teacher's lounge at a local school. The individual placed a printable sign in the lounge to announce the treats. This served as an example of a personal "thank you" gesture to teachers.

General Guidelines for Redeeming Offers

To successfully redeem the freebies and discounts detailed in the reports, educators generally needed to adhere to specific guidelines.

Identification: A valid school ID or teacher identification was a universal requirement across almost all listed offers.
Location Specificity: Some deals were limited to specific franchise locations (e.g., the Chick-fil-A on Grant Rd in Tucson) or specific geographic areas (e.g., SeaWorld San Diego for CA and AZ teachers).
Timing: While Teacher Appreciation Week spanned May 6–11, specific offers were valid only on certain days (e.g., Chipotle's BOGO on May 8 only).
Verification: For offers like the SeaWorld Fun Card, an online registration step was required prior to park visitation.

Conclusion

The 2018 Teacher Appreciation Week in Arizona featured a diverse array of freebies and discounts designed to honor educators. The offerings ranged from single-day food promotions at major chains like Chipotle to year-round retail discounts at stores like Bookmans. Entertainment venues, including The Loft Cinema and SeaWorld San Diego, provided access to cultural and recreational activities at reduced or no cost. Additionally, community-driven events organized by groups such as Tucson Values Teachers offered social opportunities for educators. Participation in these offers generally required the verification of teacher status through valid identification, and interested educators were advised to confirm specific details with local vendors prior to visiting.