2018 National Teacher Appreciation Week: A Comprehensive Guide to Freebies and Deals for Educators

National Teacher Appreciation Week, observed during the first full week of May each year, culminates on National Teacher Appreciation Day, the Tuesday of that week. In 2018, this period ran from May 7 through May 11, with the special day falling on May 8. According to the National Education Association, this day is intended to honor teachers and recognize their lasting contributions. Businesses across the United States participate by offering a variety of freebies, discounts, and special deals to educators, school staff, and faculty. These offers span numerous categories, including food and beverage, retail, entertainment, and services. It is important to note that many of these deals are location-specific and require verification of educator status, typically through a valid school ID or enrollment in a teacher discount program. The availability and terms of offers are subject to change, and consumers are advised to check with local retailers or official brand websites for the most current information.

Food and Beverage Freebies and Discounts

A significant portion of Teacher Appreciation Week deals focuses on dining and refreshments, with several national chains offering free meals or substantial discounts on May 8, 2018.

Chipotle offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal on burritos, bowls, salads, or orders of tacos. This offer was valid from 3 p.m. to close on May 8 for teachers, faculty, and staff, including homeschoolers, who presented a valid teacher ID. The promotion was available for in-store orders only. Similarly, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers provided teachers and faculty with a current school ID a free box combo for dine-in or drive-thru orders from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 8.

Other restaurants with reported offers included: * Cicis: The pizza buffet and takeout chain allowed teachers to dine in the buffet for free with a coupon and a valid school ID. Participation was noted to vary by location, and educators were advised to contact their local Cicis for confirmation. * Bruegger’s Bagels: This chain offered 20% off catering during the week. Additionally, purchasing a $25 gift card for a teacher came with a free egg sandwich of choice. * MOD Pizza: In honor of Teacher Appreciation Day, MOD Pizza offered 50% off a pizza or salad to anyone showing a teacher's ID. * Zinburger: Teachers could enjoy free shakes at Zinburger's east coast locations on May 8. * Salata: Teachers who purchased one salad or wrap could get one free with ID. The deal covered one protein and was not valid on add-ons like avocado. * Culver's: Select locations offered a special for teachers with a valid ID on May 8, requiring a check with the local restaurant for participation. * Planet Smoothie®: All teachers and school faculty members in the Tampa Bay area received a free 16 oz. smoothie (Planet Favorite, Planet Lite™, or Energy) on May 8 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a valid ID. * Chick-fil-A: Select locations offered teachers a deal on May 8, with the specific offer varying by restaurant. Consumers were directed to call the closest location or check the restaurant's Facebook events page for details. * Zaxby's: While not specific to May 8, select stores were noted to be running Teacher Appreciation week specials, requiring a check with the local store.

Retail and Product Discounts

Beyond food, numerous retailers offered percentage-based discounts on purchases for educators, often requiring verification through a teacher discount program or a valid school ID.

Apparel and Accessories: * Banana Republic: Teachers received 15% off full-priced in-store purchases. * Ann Taylor LOFT: Teachers could get 15% off all full-priced items. Consumers were directed to sign up for the "LOFT Loves Teachers" program. * Talbots: Teachers received a 15% discount on regular-priced items. * Marshall's: Educators received a 15% discount year-round. * Hanes: Members of the education community, including retired educators, received a 10% discount on purchases, with a promo code available.

Craft and Fabric: * JoAnn Fabric: A 15% discount was available both in-store and online every day for teachers enrolled in the Teacher Rewards program. * Hobby Lobby: Teachers received a 10% discount on in-store purchases using a check or bank card from the school.

Books and Education: * Barnes & Noble: Teachers received 20% off the publisher’s price for books purchased for classroom use, and 25% off the publisher’s price for certain “Educator Appreciation” days. * Bookmans: Teachers could get 20% off all purchases after signing up for the “Project Educate” program.

Other Retail: * Adobe: Teachers could get 60% off a Creative Cloud Service. * Academic Superstore: Teachers received year-round discounts on school supplies. * Overstock: Teachers received a free Club O Gold membership. * Apple Store for Education: Faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels received discounted rates on Macs, iPads, and other Apple accessories.

Entertainment and Leisure Offers

Several entertainment venues provided free entry or significant discounts for teachers during the appreciation period.

SeaWorld: Free entry was available for Southern California, Florida, and Texas teachers. This offer likely required a valid school ID and was specific to certain parks.
Crayola Experience: Teachers received free admission every day, and their families received 25% off general admission rates until May 31, 2018. A valid educator ID was required.
Kennedy Space Center: Full-time teachers in Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands received free access to the Kennedy Space Center’s Educator Resource Center with an Educator Study Pass.
World of Beer: Teachers could receive a free Sam Adams or an Angry Orchard Cider.

Service and Travel Discounts

Discounts were also available for services, including car rentals and telecommunications.

Alamo Car Rental: Teachers who were members of the American Federation of Teachers could receive a $25 car rental discount.
AT&T: Discounts on monthly phone service plans were available through AT&T's Signature Discount Program.
Budget Truck Rental: A discount was noted, though full details were not provided in the source material.

Location-Specific and Additional Offers

Some deals were tied to specific regions or locations, requiring local verification.

PDX (Portland International Airport): Staff with a valid school ID received 50% off their entire order at participating locations on May 8.
Bally's Atlantic City and Las Vegas: U.S. educators received a 10% off their stay, plus other promotions and deals.
PDQ: Teachers received 50% off their entire order with a valid ID all day on May 8.

It is crucial for educators to understand that many offers are subject to change and are based on each individual store's policy. The provided sources emphasize checking with local retailers, social media pages, or official brand websites for the most updated information before seeking to redeem an offer. Verification of educator status is a common requirement, often necessitating a valid school ID or enrollment in a brand-specific teacher discount program.

Conclusion

The 2018 National Teacher Appreciation Week provided educators with a wide array of freebies and deals across multiple categories. From free meals and discounted retail purchases to free admission to entertainment venues, the week was designed to offer tangible benefits to teachers and school staff. The most significant deals were concentrated on May 8, National Teacher Appreciation Day, with chains like Chipotle, Raising Cane's, and MOD Pizza offering free or deeply discounted food items. Retailers such as Banana Republic, Ann Taylor LOFT, and JoAnn Fabric provided percentage-based discounts, while service providers like Adobe and Apple offered substantial savings on professional and educational tools. However, the availability of these offers was often contingent on location and required verification of educator status. Educators interested in these benefits were advised to confirm participation with their local establishments and ensure they had the necessary identification before attempting to redeem any deals.