Teacher Appreciation Week is an annual event in the United States dedicated to recognizing the contributions of educators. In 2025, this observance is scheduled for May 5 through May 9. During this period, various businesses and brands offer special promotions, including free products, services, and discounts, specifically for teachers and school staff. The offers span multiple categories, from food and beverages to classroom supplies and digital tools. This article provides a detailed overview of the freebies and deals available during Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, based on verified information from promotional sources.
The availability of these offers often depends on specific terms, such as requiring a valid teacher ID, signing up for a loyalty program, or verifying employment status through a third-party service like ID.me. Many promotions are limited to specific dates, locations, or while supplies last. Educators are advised to confirm details with local establishments or official brand websites before attempting to redeem an offer.
Free Food and Beverage Offers
A significant portion of Teacher Appreciation Week deals focus on food and beverages, with numerous restaurant chains offering free items or discounts. These promotions typically require proof of employment, such as a school ID or verification through a service like ID.me.
Buffalo Wild Wings provides a 20% discount on orders for teachers and school staff from May 5 to May 11, 2025. The discount applies to dine-in, call-in, and walk-in orders and requires a valid ID. Chipotle is running a sweepstakes through May 13, 2025, where 100,000 teachers can be randomly selected to win a free burrito. Winners must verify their employment status via ID.me within 48 hours of notification to receive a free burrito e-card.
Several other restaurant chains have offered promotions in previous years and are likely to repeat them in 2025, though specific 2025 details should be confirmed with local locations:
- Applebee’s: Many locations typically offer a free appetizer or dessert with an entrée purchase.
- Burger King: Often provides free fries for educators with any purchase.
- Chick-fil-A: Many locations have given free breakfast or lunch items in the past.
- Firehouse Subs: Teachers using the Firehouse Rewards app can access BOGO sub deals during the appreciation week.
- McDonald’s: At many locations, teachers who present their ID can receive free coffee or breakfast products.
- Starbucks: Some locations have offered a tall brewed coffee to educators.
- Whataburger: Teachers have received free breakfast items before 9 a.m. with a valid school ID.
- Zaxby’s: In 2024, they offered a BOGO Boneless Wings Meal for rewards members.
Additional food-related discounts and freebies noted for Teacher Appreciation Week include:
- Abuelo’s: Teachers receive 20% off their entire check on Teacher Appreciation Day and a free queso throughout the school year until May 31.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: 20% off all week with ID.
- Golden Corral: Teachers got 20% off their meal, Monday to Friday, with a school ID in 2024.
- Mountain Mike’s: $15 off any pizza with code APPRECIATE25 from May 6 to 9, 2025.
- Noodles & Company: In 2024, they offered $15 off catering with a promo code.
- Shipley Do-Nuts: Last year’s offer was a half-dozen glazed donuts free with any purchase for loyalty members.
- Sonic: Teachers in the Sonic Teachers’ Circle got app-exclusive freebies in 2024.
- TGI Fridays: Look out for free entrées for teachers on Teacher Appreciation Day.
Retail Discounts and Free Products
Beyond food, retailers across various categories offer significant discounts and, in some cases, free products to educators.
Footwear and Apparel: * Crocs: Teachers can get 15% off on the Crocs website by verifying their teacher status with ID.me. * Dearfoams: A unique promotion allows consumers to buy any pair of Dearfoams and receive a free pair to give to a teacher. The free pair is provided via email as a promo code. * Hanes: All members of the education community, including retired teachers, get 10% off each purchase. * Madewell: The brand gives teachers 15% off clothing, footwear, and accessories, both online and in stores.
Home Goods and Lifestyle: * Great Wolf Lodge: Reservations booked by teachers are offered at up to 40% off through the company's Howling Heroes program. * Stanley: The tumbler brand offers discounts for teachers and other heroes through their ID.me program. * Pvolve: Teachers get 15% off workouts, classes, clothing, and fitness equipment.
Books and Media: * Books-A-Million: Educators can enroll in the free educator's program to get 20% off all classroom purchases. * Half Price Books: Teachers save 10% when they sign up for an Educator Discount Card. * DocFly: Teachers can sign up to receive 10 free document downloads per month.
Classroom and Digital Freebies
For educators seeking resources for their classrooms, several companies provide free tools, supplies, and digital subscriptions.
Classroom Supplies and Kits: * Staples: In 2024, teachers received free supply kits with ID. Supplies are often limited and run out fast. Staples also typically offers 20% off in-store purchases for teachers.
Digital Tools and Subscriptions: * Canva for Education: Always free for teachers, providing access to classroom-ready design tools upon sign-up with a school email. * Headspace: The mindfulness app provides a free annual subscription for educators. Registration requires a school email. * Loom for Education: A free video recording platform available for teachers. * Microsoft Office 365 Education: Teachers get free access with a school email, which includes Word, Excel, Teams, and more. * WeAreTeachers: Offers free printable posters available each year, with 2025 designs on their site.
Specialized Discounts and Giveaways
Some promotions are tailored to specific interests or offer higher-value rewards.
- Edmentum Giveaway: Edmentum is running a giveaway where three winners can receive a $500 gift card to their choice of Amazon or Target. Eligible educators can enter, and the giveaway began on April 28, 2025.
- Cheap Caribbean Vacations: The Beach4Teach Club offers exclusive deals, upgrades, and vacation packages, including $150 off the next vacation.
- HomeChef: The meal-delivery service offers teachers 50% off their first box and 10% off subsequent boxes.
- Stitch Fix: The online personal styling service offers teachers 25% off their first Fix.
World Teachers' Day Offers
While Teacher Appreciation Week in May is the most prominent, some businesses also offer deals for World Teachers' Day on October 5. For example, in 2025, some businesses may extend deals through Monday, October 6. Specific offers for this day were not detailed in the provided source material, but educators are encouraged to check with local retailers and restaurants.
Important Considerations for Redeeming Offers
When seeking to use these freebies and deals, educators should keep several key points in mind:
- Verification: Most offers require proof of educator status. This is commonly a valid school ID. Some brands, like Chipotle and Crocs, use ID.me for online verification.
- Timing: Many offers are limited to specific dates within Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9, 2025) or slightly beyond. For example, the Buffalo Wild Wings discount runs through May 11.
- Location: Restaurant deals, in particular, can vary by location. It is crucial to call ahead or check the local restaurant's website or social media to confirm participation.
- Registration and App Usage: Some deals, like those from Firehouse Subs and Sonic, require enrollment in a loyalty program or app to access the promotion.
- Supplies and Availability: For free items like classroom supply kits, availability is often limited. Arriving early is recommended, as supplies can run out quickly.
- Random Selection: Sweepstakes-style offers, such as the Chipotle burrito giveaway, are based on random selection and not guaranteed.
The provided source material highlights that teachers spend an average of $745 of their own money on classroom supplies annually. These promotions are designed to provide some financial relief and recognition for their efforts. However, the documentation does not provide a single, comprehensive list for 2025, and offers are spread across multiple sources and years. Therefore, educators should verify each offer's current status and terms directly with the provider.
Conclusion
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 presents a valuable opportunity for educators to access a wide array of freebies and discounts from restaurants, retailers, and service providers. The offers range from complimentary food and beverages to significant savings on clothing, travel, and classroom supplies. Digital tools and subscriptions are also available at no cost to support educators in their professional work. To successfully redeem these offers, teachers should be prepared to verify their employment status, adhere to specific date and location requirements, and confirm details with participating businesses. By staying informed and verifying information, educators can fully take advantage of the recognition and support offered during this dedicated week.