Florida Teacher Appreciation Week 2025: Freebies and Discounts for Educators

Teacher Appreciation Week for 2025 is scheduled for May 5 through May 9. During this time, various businesses and organizations offer specific deals, discounts, and free items to educators. The availability of these offers generally requires proof of employment, such as a valid school district ID or verification through digital platforms. The following information outlines the specific freebies and discounts available to Florida teachers, categorized by business type and offer details.

Food and Beverage Offers

Several food service providers, ranging from fast-food chains to sit-down restaurants, have announced specific promotions for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Chipotle Chipotle is conducting a giveaway for Teacher Appreciation Week, which extends through May 13. Teachers and healthcare workers (coinciding with National Nurse Appreciation Week) can sign up online to be entered into a random drawing for a free burrito. The company is selecting 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers. Those selected will receive an email requiring them to verify their employment status via ID.me within 48 hours. Upon verification, a free burrito e-gift card is issued. Chipotle also utilizes a Round-Up for Real Change feature on its app and website to support the Kids In Need Foundation and American Nurses Foundation.

Sonic Drive-In Sonic Drive-In offers three specific deals for members of the Sonic Teachers’ Circle rewards program during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9). The deals include: - A free Sonic Snack or side with any purchase. - A buy-one-get-one-free offer on Sonic Blasts. - A $1.99 Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger. To access these deals, teachers must join the free Sonic Teachers’ Circle rewards program. This is done by downloading the Sonic app, creating an account, navigating to Settings, tapping the "profile" icon, tapping "account," and selecting "I'm a Teacher."

Smoothie King Smoothie King offers a 20% discount on in-store orders placed between May 6 and May 8. To redeem this discount, teachers must present a valid working ID at the time of purchase.

Tijuana Flats Tijuana Flats provides a 20% discount on entire dine-in or carryout orders on Wednesday, May 7. The discount requires the presentation of a valid teacher ID and the use of the discount code "NURTEA25."

Burger King Burger King offers free fries with any purchase during Teacher Appreciation Week. This offer is available to teachers and all other customers. Additionally, Burger King is reportedly giving away $1 million in promo codes for entrées, though specific details on how to claim these codes are not provided in the source material.

Buffalo Wild Wings Buffalo Wild Wings offers two distinct promotions for Teacher Appreciation Week: - A 20% discount is available with a valid teacher ID (Source [6]). - Alternatively, customers can purchase six boneless wings for $1 with the purchase of any Buffalo Wild Wings burger (Source [5]).

Applebees Applebees offers a free appetizer (up to a value of $12) with the purchase of any entree. This offer requires the teacher to show their teacher ID.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse operates the "Awesome Achievement Program." This program is designed for elementary school teachers to reward students. Students who earn "Awesome Achiever" status receive a certificate redeemable for a free Snickers Pizookie and a silicone bracelet. Teachers can sign up for this program via the link provided in the source material.

Eddie Merlot’s Eddie Merlot’s offers a free dessert with the purchase of an entree. This promotion is valid from May 5 through May 9 and requires a valid teacher ID.

Einstein Bros. Bagels Einstein Bros. Bagels is participating in Teacher Appreciation Week, though the specific details of the offer (such as a discount or free item) are not fully elaborated in the provided text. The text notes that the brand is honoring teachers during the week.

Aroma Joe’s Aroma Joe’s offers a free 24-ounce drink on May 6 (Teacher Appreciation Day) with a valid teacher ID.

Bravo Italian Kitchen and Brio Italian Kitchen On May 6, teachers can earn a $20 bonus card with catering orders at both Bravo Italian Kitchen and Brio Italian Kitchen.

Sonic Drive-In (General Context) Sonic Drive-In is also noted as offering deals specifically for members of the Sonic Teachers’ Circle rewards program.

Travel and Hospitality Offers

Several hotel chains and hospitality groups in Florida offer exclusive rates and amenities for educators during the summer months, often requiring booking during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Hilton and Embassy Suites by Hilton Six Hilton properties across Florida are offering exclusive summer savings for educators. These offers require a valid educator identification at check-in and generally require booking using specific codes. The participating properties and their specific offers include:

Hilton Cabana Miami Beach Resort:
- Offer: 20% off the stay, waived resort fee (savings of $39.90 per night), complimentary valet parking for one vehicle (savings of $52 per night), and $100 in resort credit per stay.
- Booking: Use booking code P1.
- Travel Dates: June 1 to September 1, 2025.
- Requirements: Minimum two-night stay.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa:
- Offer: 20% off the stay, complimentary self-parking for one vehicle (savings of $26 per night), and a $15 daily food & beverage credit.
- Booking: Use booking code PL5.
Additional Participating Properties (Codes Provided):
- Miami (booking code PK5)
- Miami Beach (booking code P1)
- Fort Lauderdale (booking code PL5)
- Tampa (booking code TEAP)
- Tampa Convention Center (booking code TEP)

Florida Department of Education Listed Hotels The Florida Department of Education lists several hotel and resort discounts for teachers and school district employees (Source [2]):

Villas and Resorts: Florida teachers receive up to 15% off current rates for 2 and 3-bedroom villas. To book, users must scroll down to "Special Savings for Teacher Appreciation" on the linked page.
Hotels.com: Florida teachers and school district employees save 10% off select hotels when booking through the provided link.
Specific Resort (Contact Required): Florida educators and school employees are eligible for an Educator Rate of $45 per night plus tax. The standard $10 per night resort fee is waived. To book, interested parties must call 407-396-2222 and ask for the Educator Rate.
General Educator Discount: The source notes that "All educators can enjoy a 25% discount," though it does not specify the specific vendor for this general statement.

Entertainment and Retail Offers

FunSpot FunSpot, located in Orlando or Kissimmee, offers all Florida teachers a free 2024 3-Park Season Pass. This offer is valid from May 5 through May 11. To claim the pass, teachers must visit the ticket counter with a current valid school district ID and a photo ID. The season pass is valid through December 31, 2024.

Aloma Bowling Centers Aloma Bowling Centers is mentioned as not forgetting teachers, though specific offer details (such as free games or shoe rentals) are not provided in the text.

Verification and Eligibility Requirements

Accessing these offers generally requires specific forms of identification or verification processes:

Physical Identification: Most brick-and-mortar offers (restaurants, bowling centers, hotels) require a "valid teacher ID," "school district ID," or "working ID." It is recommended that educators carry these documents during the week.
Digital Verification: The Chipotle giveaway utilizes ID.me to verify employment status for selected winners. Teachers selected for the free burrito must verify their status within 48 hours of receiving the email.
Program Enrollment: The Sonic Drive-In deals require prior enrollment in the "Sonic Teachers’ Circle" rewards program via the mobile app.
Geographic Eligibility: The offers from FunSpot and the specific Hilton properties are explicitly targeted toward Florida teachers. Other national chains (Chipotle, Sonic, Burger King) may be available nationwide, but the specific details provided in the source material focus on their availability during the May 5-9 timeframe.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 offers a variety of freebies and discounts for Florida educators, ranging from free theme park passes and hotel stays to food and beverage discounts. The majority of these offers are time-sensitive, taking place between May 5 and May 9, with some verification processes (such as the Chipotle giveaway) extending slightly longer. Educators are advised to review the specific booking codes, ID requirements, and enrollment steps for each offer to ensure successful redemption.