Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 is scheduled to run from Monday, May 5 through Friday, May 9, providing a dedicated time for businesses across the United States to offer discounts, freebies, and special deals to educators. This annual event, which includes National Teacher Day on May 6, originated as a single day in the 1950s through efforts by Eleanor Roosevelt and was expanded to a full week in 1986. The week serves as an opportunity for restaurants, retailers, and service providers to acknowledge the contributions of teachers, who frequently report high levels of job stress according to recent surveys. Offers available during this period span categories such as food and beverage, travel, technology, and pet products, with many available upon presentation of a valid school ID or verification through official brand channels. Educators are encouraged to confirm participation with individual locations, as some deals are location-specific or require advance registration.
Overview of Teacher Appreciation Week 2025
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 falls in May, specifically from May 5 to May 9, aligning with the traditional timing for this observance in the United States. The week is designed to express gratitude to educators for their hard work, with numerous national brands participating by providing exclusive savings. According to data from a Gallup poll cited in the provided materials, 73% of parents with K-12 students rate their children's teachers as excellent or good, underscoring the community's appreciation. However, a Horace Mann Educators Corporation survey from March 26-April 1, 2025, indicates that over 30% of teachers do not feel appreciated, despite 77% describing their jobs as frequently stressful or overwhelming.
Participating businesses typically require proof of educator status, such as a valid school ID, work email, or badge, to access these offers. The deals range from free food items to percentage discounts on purchases, and some extend beyond the week itself. It is important for educators to note that while many offers are widely available, others may be limited to specific regions or require online verification. For instance, the Museum of Illusions offers free admission to teachers during the week, with additional entry into a raffle for goodie bags upon registration with a work email.
Food and Beverage Offers
Restaurants and food service providers are a major component of Teacher Appreciation Week promotions, offering free items or discounts to educators dining in or purchasing gift cards.
Applebee's provides teachers with a free appetizer valued up to $12 with the purchase of an entrée during the week, upon presentation of a valid teacher ID. This offer allows educators to choose from any appetizer on the menu.
Buffalo Wild Wings extends a 20% discount on the entire order to teachers who show a valid school ID at participating locations.
BurgerFi has historically offered 20% off meals for teachers with a school ID, though the chain has not officially announced a repeat for 2025; it is advisable to call local locations to confirm availability.
Burger King allows teachers to receive free fries with any purchase by flashing their teacher badge.
Logan's Roadhouse is offering 20% off entrées for teachers from May 5 to May 12, 2025, with a valid ID.
Mountain Mike's Pizza provides a 15% discount on any pizza using the code APPRECIATE25 from May 6 to May 9.
Peter Piper Pizza offers a free 7-inch, one-topping personal pizza to teachers from May 5 to May 9, available between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Arizona and Albuquerque locations, requiring a valid school ID.
Original ChopShop gives educators 10% off dine-in and carryout orders from May 5 to May 9 upon showing a valid badge or ID.
Salata Salad Kitchen provides 20% off meals for educators through May 9 when a valid ID is presented in-restaurant.
Einstein Bros. Bagels offers 20% off all gift card purchases online through June 24, 2025, timed to coincide with Teacher Appreciation Week.
Old Chicago has a promotion where teachers can receive a free Starter upon joining OC rewards and completing their first visit. Additionally, through May 5, customers purchasing $50 in gift cards online receive two $10 bonus cards.
Picazzo's offers teachers a $10 gift card for a return visit when dining in from May 5 to May 9, while supplies last.
While not food-specific, the Museum of Illusions offers free admission to teachers during the week at all U.S. locations with a valid school ID, providing a non-food outing option.
Retail, Technology, and Travel Discounts
Beyond food, Teacher Appreciation Week includes deals on technology, office supplies, travel, and pet products, often available year-round or with specific time-limited codes.
Adobe offers educators and students a 60% savings on the Creative Cloud All Apps plan after verifying eligibility on the Adobe website.
Bose provides $30 off any purchase of $199 or more through the Bose Education Discount page following ID verification.
Applebee's, in addition to food offers, is part of broader restaurant deals, but no non-food retail deals from Applebee's are specified in the materials.
Target was mentioned in a general context for Black Friday sales, but no specific Teacher Appreciation Week deals from Target are detailed in the provided data.
The Parking Spot offers a 25% discount on reservations for travel through the end of 2025 during May, stacking on top of the existing 10% teacher discount.
Petlibro, a provider of automatic feeders and drinking fountains for pets, is offering 20% off all devices on May 6 (National Teacher Day) with the code TEACHERSPET. This promotion ties into a viral story of an elementary school teacher, Madison Niederholtmeyer, who used Petlibro's Granary Camera Feeder as a classroom reward.
Lucky Strike has launched a 2025 Summer Season Pass, available to everyone (not just teachers), offering daily bowling, free shoe rentals, and perks from May 13 to September 1, starting at $67.49. Premium passes include arcade credits and food/drink discounts.
Teach for America maintains a year-round list of discounts from brands like Apple, Blue Apron, and Costco, accessible through their resources.
Other retail offers include:
- Bose: $30 off purchases over $199 via education verification.
- Petlibro: 20% off with code TEACHERSPET on May 6.
- Museum of Illusions: Free admission and raffle entry with work email registration.
Eligibility and Redemption Process
To access these Teacher Appreciation Week offers, educators generally need to meet specific eligibility criteria. Most deals require a valid school ID, teacher badge, or work email for verification. For online offers, such as those from Adobe or Bose, users must visit the brand's education discount page and complete an eligibility verification process, often involving submission of educational credentials.
In-restaurant offers typically require showing the ID at the time of purchase. For example, Applebee's and Buffalo Wild Wings specify "show your teacher ID" or "present a valid school ID." Some offers, like Peter Piper Pizza's free pizza, are limited to certain locations and hours (e.g., Arizona and Albuquerque only, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
Registration may be required for certain promotions, such as the Museum of Illusions raffle, where educators register with their work email during their visit. For Petlibro, the discount code TEACHERSPET must be applied at checkout on May 6.
It is crucial to confirm details directly with participating brands, as some offers (e.g., BurgerFi) are based on prior year patterns and may not be officially confirmed for 2025. Geographic restrictions apply to location-specific deals, and some offers are available only in-store.
Historical Context and Broader Trends
Teacher Appreciation Week has evolved from its origins in the 1950s to a nationwide event in May. Businesses leverage this time to build goodwill, with deals covering food, office supplies, travel, and technology. The provided materials highlight the stress teachers face, with 68% describing their jobs as overwhelming in a Pew Survey, making these freebies and discounts particularly valuable.
Year-round discounts through organizations like Teach for America extend the appreciation beyond the week, featuring brands such as Apple and Blue Apron.
Conclusion
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 offers a variety of freebies and discounts for educators, from free appetizers at Applebee's to 20% off pet products from Petlibro. By presenting a valid school ID or verifying through official channels, teachers can access these deals during the week of May 5-9. Educators should verify participation with local locations and use official brand websites for redemption details to ensure eligibility.