Teacher Appreciation Day & Week 2025: Every Freebie, Deal, and Way to Say Thanks That Actually Matters
Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 with major freebies, tech discounts, grants, and more. Here’s everything you need to know—without the fluff.
🧠 Key Takeaways
- Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 runs May 5–9 with National Teacher Day on Tuesday, May 6.
- Major brands like Whataburger, Chipotle, and McDonald’s are offering free food and big discounts.
- Educators can save up to 60% on tech, classroom supplies, and software.
- NEA’s 2025 campaign pushes for action, not just freebies: real funding, advocacy, and respect for teachers.
- From doughnuts to grants, here’s everything you need to know and do this week.
📅 When Is Teacher Appreciation Week 2025?
Here’s the simple answer:
- Teacher Appreciation Week 2025: Monday, May 5 – Friday, May 9
- National Teacher Day: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
“Celebrated since 1984, this week honors the people shaping every future you know—your kids’, your communities’, and your own.”
— NEA.org
It didn’t start as a marketing ploy. It started with a single Arkansas teacher, Mattye Whyte Woodridge, who wrote letters to Congress. Eleanor Roosevelt backed her up, and in 1980, Congress passed the first National Teacher Day.
In 1985, the National Education Association (NEA) made it official:
👉 First full week of May = Teacher Appreciation Week
👉 Tuesday of that week = Teacher Appreciation Day
🍔 Best Restaurant Deals for Teachers in 2025
Let’s not waste time. You’re a teacher. You deserve this. Here are the verified food deals from top chains.
🥓 Whataburger: Free Breakfast + $75K in Grants
- Deal: Free breakfast entrée May 5–9 (5 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
- Menu Options: Taquito with cheese, Breakfast on a Bun, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit
- Bonus: 75 teachers win $1,000 grants via the WhataTeacher program
- Link: Whataburger’s 2025 Celebration
🌯 Chipotle: 100,000 Free Burritos for Teachers
- Deal: Free burrito e-card giveaway for educators
- Deadline: Sign up before May 12
- Verification via: ID.me
- Apply: Chipotle’s Giveaway
- Bonus: Also gifting burritos to healthcare workers for Nurses Week
🍟 McDonald’s: Free Coffee or Breakfast (Location-Based)
- Deal: Many locations offer free breakfast items or coffee with school ID
- Note: Offers vary by franchise—check your local spot
- Confirmation tip: Call ahead or check the McDonald’s app
- Official site: McDonald’s Community Involvement
🐔 Chick-fil-A: Local Perks Only
- Deal: Free meals, biscuits, or coupons (depends on the store)
- Note: There’s no national deal—you need to call or check your local location’s event page
- Pro Tip: Follow your location on Instagram or Facebook
- FAQs: Chick-fil-A Support
🍩 Breakfast, Coffee, and Snack Deals
| Brand | Deal |
|---|---|
| Krispy Kreme | Free glazed doughnut on May 7 with school ID |
| Shipley Do-Nuts | Half-dozen free donuts for teachers May 4–6 |
| Tim Horton’s | BOGO doughnuts all month long via Tims Rewards |
| Einstein Bros | 20% bonus on gift card purchases |
🍽️ Lunch and Dinner Deals for Educators
| Restaurant | Deal Description |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Wild Wings | 20% off orders for educators with valid ID |
| Applebee’s | Free appetizer with entrée purchase + valid teacher ID |
| Burger King | Free Whopper Jr. with any $1 purchase on May 6 |
| Logan’s Roadhouse | 20% off entrées May 5–12 |
| La Madeleine | BOGO bakery item on May 6 via Bonjour Rewards |
| Peter Piper Pizza | Free personal pizza from 3–7 p.m. during the week |
| Atomic Wings | Free 5-piece boneless wings + fries on May 6 |
| Shake Shack | Free milkshake with any in-store purchase (must show teacher ID) |
| Potbelly | Free cookie with purchase of any entrée (ID required) |
| Sonic | BOGO deals for Teachers’ Circle members via Sonic app |
🛍️ Retail and Tech Deals for Teachers
✏️ Classroom + Office Supplies
| Store | Offer |
|---|---|
| Staples | 20% off in-store purchases w/ ID and coupon |
| Office Depot | 30% back in Bonus Rewards on classroom purchases |
| Michaels | 15% off everything, including sale items |
| Crayola | 25% off “Teacher Gift Ideas” category |
💻 Tech & Software Discounts
| Brand | Offer |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Up to 30% off via Education Offers Program through ID.me |
| Apple | Special education pricing on Macs and iPads |
| Lenovo | Extra 5% off on laptops + accessories |
| Adobe | 60% off Creative Cloud All Apps |
| Microsoft | Free Office 365 access via school email |
| Canva for Education | Always free for teachers via Canva for Education |
🏃♂️ Other Notable Discounts
| Brand | Discount Details |
|---|---|
| Adidas | 30% off online, 15% off at outlet stores |
| Under Armour | 20% off all purchases for verified teachers |
| Barnes & Noble | Up to 25% off for full-time educators |
| Academy Sports | 10% off purchases through May 9 |
| Budget Truck Rental | 20% off local moves; 15% off one-way moves (code: TEACH) |
🗣️ NEA’s 2025 Theme: Turn Appreciation Into Action
“Gratitude is good. Action is better.” — National Education Association
This year, the NEA is calling on Americans to move beyond coffee and coupons.
Here’s how to support teachers in real ways:
- Contact Congress → Demand full funding for public schools
- Support school boards → Attend meetings, vote for pro-education policy
- Speak up locally → Push back against book bans and classroom censorship
- Share teacher stories → Make their work visible on social media using #ThankATeacher
🧾 A Brief History That Still Matters
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1944 | Mattye Whyte Woodridge starts campaign for teacher recognition |
| 1953 | Eleanor Roosevelt gets Congress to declare National Teacher Day |
| 1980 | First official National Teacher Day (March 7 only) |
| 1985 | NEA designates first week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week |
More: Wikipedia – Teacher Appreciation Day
🎯 Conclusion: It’s Not Just Free Food—It’s a Movement
Let’s be real. Teachers deserve more than donuts.
Yes, take the free burrito. Yes, enjoy that milkshake. But also use this week to:
- Push for better policies
- Fund classrooms with your wallet or your voice
- Say thank you in a way that actually helps
If you’re a teacher: take the freebies. You earned them.
If you’re not: show up. Donate. Call Congress. Appreciate loudly.
🙋♂️ FAQs
Q: When is Teacher Appreciation Week in 2025?
🗓️ May 5–9, with National Teacher Day on Tuesday, May 6. Source
Q: What free meals can teachers get?
🍔 Whataburger, Chipotle, McDonald’s, Sonic, and more are offering verified deals.
Q: Are tech discounts legit for teachers?
💻 Yes. Brands like Samsung, Apple, and Adobe offer up to 60% off with ID.me verification.
Q: Can homeschool teachers qualify?
🧑🏫 Many brands accept homeschool verification via ID.me or other official documentation.
Q: How can I help teachers beyond freebies?
📣 Advocate. Donate. Share their stories. Join the NEA’s “Turn Appreciation Into Action” campaign.
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