Teacher Appreciation Week for 2025 is scheduled for Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9, with National Teacher Day falling on Tuesday, May 6. This annual event, with roots tracing back to the 1980s and National Teacher Day originating in 1953, is recognized by the National Education Association (NEA) as a time to transform appreciation into action that protects students and strengthens public schools. While many U.S. parents rate teachers highly, with 73% in a 2023 Gallup poll rating their children's teachers as excellent or good, a 2024 Horace Mann survey found that over 30% of educators do not feel appreciated. In response, numerous national and regional businesses offer exclusive deals, discounts, and freebies for K-12 educators, college professors, and other school staff during this week. This article consolidates verified offers from the 2025 period, focusing on categories relevant to consumers, including food, pet products, office supplies, and entertainment, based on information from official news sources and deal-tracking publications.
Verified Food and Dining Deals
Several restaurant chains and food service providers offer special promotions for teachers during the appreciation week. These deals typically require a valid school or educator ID for verification.
- Applebee’s: Teachers who present a valid school ID at Applebee’s during Teacher Appreciation Week can receive a free appetizer with any entrée purchase. The free appetizer is valued up to $12.
- Burger King: Educators can flash their school badge to receive free fries with any purchase.
- BurgerFi: In prior years, this chain offered teachers with a school ID a 20% discount on their meal. While not officially confirmed for 2025 at the time of the source data, a return of this promotion was considered likely. Consumers were advised to call their nearest location for confirmation.
- Logan’s Roadhouse: From May 5 through May 12, teachers can enjoy a 20% discount on an entrée with a valid ID.
- Mountain Mike’s Pizza: From May 6 to May 9, the pizza chain offers a 15% discount on any pizza using the promo code APPRECIATE25.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: From now through June 24, teachers can purchase gift cards online with a 20% discount. This offer is available exclusively online.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Teachers with a valid school ID are eligible for a 20% discount on their entire order.
It is important to note that participation and offer terms can vary by location. Consumers are always advised to call ahead to confirm that a specific restaurant is participating in the promotion.
Retail and Product Discounts
Beyond dining, several retail brands provide discounts on products that are useful for teachers and their households.
- Adobe: Teachers and students can verify their eligibility on the Adobe website to save 60% on the Creative Cloud All Apps plan.
- Bose: By visiting the Bose Education Discount page and verifying their ID, educators can receive $30 off any purchase of $199 or more.
- Crayola: Offering a 20% discount on all products listed in the "Teacher Gift Ideas" category, Crayola allows teachers to use the code “EDUCATORS” at checkout to apply the discount.
- Home Chef: Teachers can receive 50% off their first meal kit box and 10% off each recurring box.
- Michaels: Educators receive a 15% discount on their entire purchase, which includes sale items. This offer is valid in-store only with a valid teacher ID.
- Office Depot and OfficeMax: These office supply stores offer teachers 30% back in Bonus Rewards on qualifying in-store purchases.
- Petlibro: To celebrate teachers who are also pet parents, Petlibro offered a 20% discount on all devices on May 6, National Teacher Day, using the code TEACHERSPET.
Entertainment and Experiential Offers
Some deals focus on providing experiences and entertainment, allowing educators to enjoy leisure activities.
- Museum of Illusions: All U.S. locations of the Museum of Illusions offered free admission to teachers and educators during Teacher Appreciation Week. To receive the complimentary admission, a valid school ID was required. Additionally, educators who registered with their work email during their visit were entered into a raffle to win a goodie bag filled with brain teasers and classroom inspiration.
- Lucky Strike: While not exclusively for teachers, Lucky Strike launched its 2025 Summer Season Pass, which includes daily bowling, free shoe rentals, and other perks from May 13 through September 1. Passes start at $67.49, with premium options available. This deal is open to everyone and available at participating locations nationwide.
Year-Round and Additional Resources
Beyond the specific week, several organizations and brands offer ongoing discounts for educators.
- Teach for America: This organization has compiled a list of dozens of year-round discounts and deals for educators, including offers from brands like Apple, Blue Apron, and Costco.
- SmartSMS Solutions: A living document tracking legitimate teacher deals, freebies, and discounts for the 2025-2026 school year is maintained and updated in real-time. This resource verifies offers within the last 30 days and tracks deals for events like World Teachers' Day on October 5, 2025, and Teacher Appreciation Week 2026.
Important Considerations for Educators
When seeking out these deals, educators should be prepared with proper documentation. Most offers require a valid school ID or other proof of educator status. Some promotions are limited to specific dates, locations, or may require online registration. As business participation can change, it is a best practice to verify the offer directly with the participating brand or local store before visiting. The deals highlighted in this article are based on information available from news sources and deal-tracking sites prior to and during the 2025 Teacher Appreciation Week. For the most current information, consumers should consult the official websites of the brands mentioned.
Conclusion
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 presented a wide array of verified deals and discounts for educators across the United States. From free appetizers and discounted meals at restaurants like Applebee’s and Logan’s Roadhouse, to significant savings on technology from Adobe and Bose, and even free admission to the Museum of Illusions, the promotions were designed to show gratitude for the work of teachers. Additional ongoing discounts from retailers such as Michaels, Crayola, and Office Depot provide further value. While many offers were confirmed for the May 5-9 period, consumers were advised to verify details and participation at their local establishments. Resources like Teach for America and dedicated deal-tracking sites offer pathways to year-round savings, helping to address the financial burden many teachers face when purchasing classroom supplies.