Teacher Appreciation Week in 2017 provided a significant opportunity for educators in Tucson to access a variety of freebies, discounts, and promotional offers from local and national businesses. These initiatives aimed to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of teachers, who often spend their own money on classroom supplies and face significant professional challenges. The available offers ranged from free classroom supply kits and discounted books to complimentary meals and treats from restaurants and retailers. Understanding the scope of these promotions, including eligibility requirements, redemption processes, and specific participating locations, is essential for educators seeking to maximize these benefits.
Classroom Supply Kits and Fundraising Campaigns
One of the most substantial offers for teachers in Tucson during the summer of 2017 was the Four Peaks 4 Teachers fundraising campaign. This initiative provided teachers with a free supply box, a valuable resource for stocking classrooms for the upcoming school year. To participate, teachers were required to present a school ID or a current pay stub at any participating location to receive a voucher. This voucher was required for the actual pickup of the supply kit and could be obtained at no charge.
Participating locations for voucher pickup included all Four Peaks locations, all Phoenix area and Flagstaff Smashburger restaurants, Monsoons Tap and Grill in Tucson, The Stillhouse Grill and Bar in Tucson, and Taverna Greek Grill in Flagstaff. The vouchers were available while supplies lasted, emphasizing the need for teachers to act promptly.
Once a teacher obtained a voucher, specific pickup dates and locations were designated for receiving the supply box. The schedule was as follows: * Monday, July 24: The Stillhouse Grill and Bar and Monsoons Tap and Grill in Tucson. * Tuesday, July 25: Four Peaks 8th Street Brewery in Tempe. * Wednesday, July 26: Four Peaks Grill & Tap in Scottsdale and Peoria, and the Peoria Sports Complex. * Thursday, July 27: Taverna Greek Grill in Flagstaff. * Friday, July 28: Four Peaks 8th Street Brewery in Tempe.
The campaign also offered opportunities for community involvement. Individuals who were not teachers but wished to support the effort could volunteer to help create the classroom supply boxes. Volunteers were invited to the Four Peaks Tasting Room on Wilson Street in Tempe on Saturday, July 15, starting at 7 a.m. Additionally, a financial donation option was available through the Four Peaks 4 Teachers Raffle, with proceeds supporting the cause.
Book Discounts and Educational Resources
For educators looking to replenish classroom libraries or find holiday gifts, the Scholastic Book Fair Holiday Warehouse Sale in December 2017 offered a compelling opportunity. Held at the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Tucson, this sale featured a buy one, get one free promotion on thousands of books. This offer applied to most items, including the "Build-a-Box" option, allowing participants to maximize their purchases.
The sale was exclusively for librarians, teachers, school employees and volunteers, Book Fair chairpeople, and homeschool teachers. To encourage attendance, a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $100 or more was available upon registration. The event took place from December 4 through December 7, with hours varying by day: * Monday, December 4: 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm * Tuesday, December 5: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm * Wednesday, December 6: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm * Thursday, December 7: 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
While the event was marketed to school professionals, the source material notes that "all forms of payment accepted" and "all welcome," suggesting broader accessibility, though the promotional incentives were primarily targeted toward the education community.
Restaurant and Retail Deals During Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week in 2017, which took place during the first week of May, saw numerous restaurants and retailers offering special deals. These promotions generally required proof of educator status, typically in the form of a teacher ID.
National Restaurant Chains
Several national chains participated with offers valid during the first week of May 2017: * Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: Teachers could receive a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree from May 6 to 10. * Chick-fil-A: Many franchises offered free sandwiches to teachers on May 7. Participation varied by location. * Chipotle: On May 7 from 3 p.m. to close, a buy one, get one free offer was available for burritos, burrito bowls, salads, or orders of tacos. * Cici’s Pizza: A coupon provided one free visit to the pizza buffet on May 7. * McAlister’s Deli: From May 6 to 10, teachers could get a free cup of tea. * MOD Pizza: A buy one, get one free offer on pizzas and salads was available on May 7. * Raising Cane’s: On May 7 from 6 to 9 p.m., teachers and school faculty received a free box combo.
Tucson-Based Establishments
Local Tucson businesses also showed their appreciation with unique offers: * Downtown Brewery: Hosted a Teacher Appreciation Happy Hour on Thursday, May 9, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., where teachers could get one free drink and an appetizer, plus additional Happy Hour specials. * Cuppa GoGo: Starting Tuesday, May 7, this coffee shop offered buy-one-get-one regular-sized drinks for teachers and nurses. They also provided a free mini bundt cake from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, for those who identified themselves as teachers. * Taverna Greek Grill: Offered teachers and nurses 20% off their dinner from Monday, May 6, through Friday, May 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. * The Stillhouse Grill and Bar: Provided free coffee and 20% off orders for teachers and nurses, with the offer ending May 12. * Local Movie Theater: Offered a free medium popcorn with a movie ticket purchase from Monday, May 6, to Saturday, May 11. * Ice Cream/Gelati Shop: On Tuesday, May 7, offered a free small ice or gelati to all teachers.
Broader Community Support and Awareness
Beyond specific freebies, organizations like Tucson Values Teachers (TVT) worked to raise awareness of the challenges facing Arizona’s teacher workforce. While not a direct source of free products, TVT provided a platform for community support and offered programs for teacher professional and financial support. They facilitated exclusive discounts from over 60 local businesses and ran a sweepstakes for classroom supplies. TVT also managed the Jim Click Raffle, with proceeds supporting their mission.
The context also highlighted the significant challenges faced by teachers in Arizona, including low pay, high turnover rates, and a lack of community respect. Initiatives like the Four Peaks 4 Teachers campaign and the various restaurant discounts were part of a broader effort to counteract these issues and demonstrate community appreciation.
Conclusion
The year 2017 offered a robust selection of freebies and promotional deals for teachers in the Tucson area, particularly during Teacher Appreciation Week in May and the back-to-school season in July and December. Key offers included free classroom supply kits from the Four Peaks 4 Teachers campaign, significant BOGO book sales at the Scholastic warehouse event, and a wide array of food and beverage discounts from both national chains and local Tucson eateries. Eligibility for these offers typically required proof of educator status, such as a school ID or pay stub. While these initiatives provided tangible benefits, they also served a larger purpose of recognizing the critical role and the specific challenges faced by educators in the community.