Teachers across the United States have access to a wide variety of discounts, free products, and educational resources. These offers are designed to support educators in their professional and personal lives, ranging from classroom supplies and technology to dining and entertainment. The availability of these benefits varies by provider, with some offering year-round discounts and others providing special incentives during designated periods such as Teacher Appreciation Week. This article details verified offers and resources available to U.S. teachers, based on current data.
Year-Round Discounts and Freebies
Numerous national brands offer ongoing discounts to verified educators. These programs typically require proof of employment, such as a school ID, or verification through third-party services like ID.me.
Retail and Apparel
- Champion: Current and retired teachers receive a 10% discount.
- Under Armour: Teachers can access 40% off by logging in with ID.me.
- Vera Bradley: A 15% online discount is available to teachers who verify their educator status with ID.me.
- Sunglass Hut: Licensed or certified teachers are eligible for a 15% discount upon signing in and verifying with ID.me.
- Books-A-Million: The Books-A-Million Educator’s Discount Program provides a free discount card for all educators, entitling them to a 20% discount on all in-store purchases.
Technology and Electronics
- Adobe: Teachers receive 60% off the Adobe Creative Suite subscription. Adobe Express is also available for qualifying K-12 teachers.
- Apple: Educators can enjoy a teacher discount (approximately 10%) on Apple computers, iPads, and software through the Apple Education Pricing program.
- Microsoft: Microsoft Office 355 Education is available for free for qualifying teachers, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Teams. Microsoft also offers a discount of up to 10% off select devices.
- Samsung: Educators can receive up to 30% off when verifying eligibility through ID.me.
- Lenovo: ID.me-verified educators can take 5% off computers, tablets, and more.
- Bose: A 10% discount is available (maximum savings of $100) when verifying through ID.me.
- Western Digital: Teachers save 20% on hard drives, flash drives, and other storage options.
- AT&T: A teacher discount is available if the school has a partnership with AT&T, sometimes offering as much as 25% off.
- T-Mobile: Educators can get a cell plan for as low as $35 a month.
- Verizon: Verizon offers a teacher discount as low as $25 a line based on eligibility. Verification can be completed on Verizon’s discount page or at a local store.
Travel and Entertainment
- Budget Truck Rental: U.S. teachers receive a 20% discount on local moves and a 15% discount on one-way moves. The code TEACH must be used when booking.
- SeaWorld: Teachers can get free admission for a day at SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, and SeaWorld San Antonio. Rules vary by location.
- Walt Disney World: A special 25% discount is offered for teachers booking a stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels in Florida. Reservations require calling (888) 828-8850 and providing the verbal code “TEACHERS RATE.”
- Crayola Experience: Teachers get in free every day with a complimentary Annual Pass. The pass includes 20% off tickets for family and friends and 20% off purchases at the Crayola Store and Cafe Crayola.
Health, Home, and Miscellaneous
- Colgate: Teachers can receive a free Bright Smiles, Bright Futures kit, which includes toothpaste samples, toothbrushes, and teaching materials.
- GelPro: Teachers get 25% off online purchases.
- GE Appliances: GE Appliances offers a Teachers Discount Program.
- First Book: Teachers employed by qualified schools, libraries, and other organizations can access free learning resources and up to 50% off retail book prices.
- Academic Super Store: U.S. teachers and faculty members with valid ID receive year-round discounts on school supplies.
- Bookmans: Teachers get 20% off all purchases.
- 23andMe: Educators save $20-$100 on select 23andMe Ancestry Kits.
- Costco: Teachers receive a $40 gift card when purchasing a Costco membership.
- Eduporium: All educators can create an account to receive discounts as high as 20% on STEM tools.
- Ergobaby: Teachers with a valid ID.me account receive a 20% discount on diaper bags, strollers, baby carriers, and more.
- Silhouette America: Teachers can apply for special discounts by signing up for a free account and sending credentials to [email protected].
- Washington Post: Active K-12 teachers and U.S. college students, faculty, and staff are eligible to save 50% on subscription rates.
- AncestryK12: U.S. educators can access select content from Fold3 military records, the Ancestry U.S. Collection, and Newspapers.com for free.
- Age of Learning: Teachers can access a free account providing free access to ABCmouse, My Math Academy, My Reading Academy, and My Reading Academy Espanol for K-2 students.
- Amazon: Free Kindle e-textbooks are available for teachers.
- Blick Art Materials: Teachers can enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases by signing up for the free Preferred Customer program.
Teacher Appreciation Week Deals
Teacher Appreciation Week in May 2025 features specific deals and freebies from various businesses. Most of these offers require teachers to show a school ID. It is recommended to check with local stores for specific promotion details.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Teachers receive 20% off orders during Teacher Appreciation Week for dine-in and takeout orders when showing a school ID.
- Burger King: Teachers showing ID can get free fries with any purchase.
- Chipotle: Chipotle is giving away $1 million in free entrees. Teachers must enter their name and email for a chance to win a free Chipotle e-Card containing a promo code.
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard: Teachers can get a free mini sundae with a valid school ID.
- Insomnia Cookies: From May 5-9, teachers can get a free Classic cookie when shopping in-store. No purchase is necessary, but valid ID is required.
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop: From May 5 through May 11, teachers can get a free cookie or regular-sized soft drink when buying an entrée. ID is required.
- Shake Shack: Teachers can enjoy a hand-spun shake during Teacher Appreciation Week by showing a work ID badge.
- Sonic: Teachers enrolled in Sonic’s Teachers’ Circle Rewards program get access to rewards on food from May 5-9 when ordering online or from the Sonic App.
- Plucker’s: Teachers can receive a freebie by showing a staff badge to a Plucker’s team member.
- Texas de Brazil: Teachers receive 10% off dine-in lunch and dinner prices for up to four people at the table. A valid work ID is required.
Educational Resources and Free Tools
Beyond physical products and discounts, teachers can access a variety of free digital resources and platforms to aid in instruction and planning.
Lesson Plans and Classroom Materials
Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) offers a comprehensive page of free resources. These include lesson plans, worksheets, activities, lesson templates, and teaching tools created by educators. The free resources cover various subjects and grade levels, providing ready-made tools for teaching math, reading, science, social studies, and more. These materials help educators organize lessons, reinforce skills, and engage students without budget constraints.
ID.me and Shop.ID.Me
Shop.ID.Me is a platform where teachers can create an account to gain access to hundreds of discounts available specifically to educators. This centralized hub allows verification of educator status for various brands, including Under Armour, Vera Bradley, Sunglass Hut, Bose, Lenovo, Samsung, and Ergobaby. Verification through ID.me is a common requirement for accessing online teacher discounts.
Conclusion
Teachers in the United States have access to a vast ecosystem of discounts and freebies covering technology, apparel, dining, travel, and educational supplies. While many offers are available year-round with proper verification, special promotions are often concentrated during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. Accessing these benefits typically requires proof of employment or verification through specific platforms like ID.me. Educators are encouraged to check with local providers and official brand websites for the most current terms and availability.